Farzin Dabiri, a member of the board of the Football Federation, provided explanations regarding the controversies that arose during the funeral of the late Alidoosti and his failure to stand for the Islamic Republic anthem, emphasizing his service and loyalty to the system.
Details of the National Anthem Controversy
Dabiri, in this interview, apologized to the football community and the public for causing concern, stating: "Before the Islamic Republic anthem was played, the Quran was being recited, and I was so busy greeting others that I did not notice the anthem was playing." He also noted that he always stands up as soon as the national anthem is played at ceremonies and proudly hums along.
Read more: Taraneh Alidoosti and sports figures at the funeral of her father Hamid Alidoosti
Emphasis on Serving the System
Dabiri continued: "I am always a soldier and servant of the system and my homeland. If a mistake has occurred and someone has been hurt, I apologize. The purpose of attending this ceremony is to pay respect to a dear one who has passed away." He also mentioned that this issue has caused distress among some board members and called for clarification on the matter.
Response to Esteghlal's Demands
Furthermore, Dabiri referred to the claim by Esteghlal club regarding a letter submitted to the board concerning last season's championship cup. He stated: "The letter that the Esteghlal officials claim to have given to the board members was sent to me via WhatsApp. A formal request should be made through the secretariat and has never been raised in the board."
Interaction Between Coaches and the Future of the National Team
Dabiri also addressed the rumors of Amir Ghalenoei's dissatisfaction with the selection of Yahya Golmohammadi as the head coach of the U23 team, adding: "Both coaches are great and honorable figures in club football, and there will definitely be interaction between these two." He emphasized that with the one-year delay of the Asian Cup, the best opportunity has arisen to utilize younger players for the national team.
Defending Ghalenoei
In conclusion, Dabiri, referring to calls for a reduction in Ghalenoei's salary, stated: "These discussions are not correct, and bringing them up is not a good idea. Ghalenoei works for the national team and his contract should be extended. Raising such issues is neither logical nor appropriate."
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