Iran’s coach Ali Daei has criticised his football federation, threatening to quit and revealing he is still waiting for a contract to sign.
Daei, the holder of the world record for international goals, was appointed in March to turn around his country’s fortunes in the 2010 World Cup campaign.
However, it appears that relations between Daei and federation head Ali Kafashian have hit a nadir.
“If Kafashian does not have time to talk with me about friendly matches and my contract, then I am not free either,” Daei told the Hamshahri newspaper.
“I have not won my honour so easily that I can lose it this way.
“If things go on like this, we should think about something else and they could appoint someone else who they like.”
There is concern in the federation that Daei is still coaching Iranian club side Saipa and may not be able to devote all his energies to helping iran reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
However the football authorities played down the row with Daei and said the failure to sign a contract was unimportant.
“Daei has been busy with Saipa and Team Melli during this time and the fact a contract has not been signed is not a sensitive issue,” said the deputy head of the Iranian football federation, Mehdi Taj.
