Taj: I was shy and kept silent about the Wilmots case for 3 years / I will bring those who took us to the World Cup twice

According to the sports reporter of Fars news agency, Mehdi Taj said about the election of the Football Federation and the case of Mark Wilmots: “I would like to talk about the Wilmots case more than candidacy, because people have the right to know about it, but we have been silent for 3 years.” My silence in this regard was until Wednesday, when Rai came, I had to remain silent because everything we said would be exploited by his lawyers. One person talked 373 times about Wilmots and that he was a Turkmenchai and other issues. National interest required us to remain silent, now today is the first opportunity to speak.

* After Lopetegui and Renard, we reached Wilmots

The head of the football federation added: We had a good time in the federation and national football teams. When we wanted to bring Wilmots, Queiroz was the manager, there was a different opinion. The 90th program left a message at that time, which coach do you agree with? Domestic or foreign, the majority said foreign. At that time, one of our options was Lopetegui, with whom I had meetings in the presence of the ambassador. I don’t know why he suddenly changed his mind, but he raised the issue of his father’s illness and said that he has cancer and cannot come to Iran.

Taj said: When the contract with Lopetegui was canceled and when he mentioned the amount, we decided that it would not be possible, so we went to Renard. Mr. Tarabian talked to him and it was decided that Renard would come to Iran, but after the Africa Cup of Nations. He had said that Shahrivar would come and we had a friendly meeting at that time and decided to skip this option. Our ambassador talked to the head coach of Slovakia and said that he could not come. Finally, we went to Wilmots.

*Agreement with a loan of 2 million euros

He added: When Wilmots signed a contract with us, he was already the head coach of Belgium and had successes and failures. He signed a contract in 2016 for 1.2 million euros and we signed a contract in 2019 for 2.2 million euros. They announced that you didn’t have money, why did you sign a contract with a foreign coach? At the same time, with the sanctions we had and Trump becoming the president of the United States, everything intensified. At the time, we used to pay the contract amount from FIFA money.

The former head of the football federation, referring to the letters written for the contract with Wilmots from Shasta, said: Mr. Soltanifar and the president agreed to our request for a loan of 2 million euros and that we require 10 million dollars from FIFA, and it was decided to borrow an amount to take We negotiated with the Central Bank, the CEO of Golgohar, etc. All this went to the National Security Council and it was decided to borrow this money to be paid from FIFA’s claimant.

Stating the prolongation of Wilmots’ contract payment, he clarified: John Kleiner is the main legal officer of FIFA, who was in charge of the Wilmots case at that time. I myself had written to FIFA and AFC many times, but they said they could not pay us due to the sanctions. All the officials of the country were in the process of delaying the payment to Wilmots due to the sanctions. We wrote 11 letters to FIFA and 9 letters to AFC asking them to pay Wilmots. FIFA said that they cannot pay a single rial due to the US’s aggravation.

* The board of directors and the technical committee were in favor of Wilmots

Taj said that the board of directors and the technical committee did not agree with Wilmots’ contract. At that time, there were Mr. Saket, Ms. Sufizadeh, Shia, etc. We had another letter from the board of directors and everyone signed again knowing that they know the conditions.

The former head of the Football Federation pointed out that I invite those who know about the corruption in the Wilmots case to speak, and clarified: They should go to the prosecutor’s office and say that there is corruption in the Wilmots case for these reasons. I feel sorry for the then deputy minister who does not know the background of this case. I was shy and kept silent for 2-3 years because I wanted peace. Wilmots’ contract was correct and I defend him because he was the 9th coach in the world and Queiroz was the 18th coach. Wilmots’ money has been divided into sending passengers, car tires, etc.! At that time, Esteghlal and Persepolis were involved in financial cases, and why didn’t they divide this money into car tires?

Taj recalled: When we were introduced to the prosecutor’s office, FIFA wrote and said that they heard that the board of the football federation has introduced 8 people to the prosecutor’s office, and if it is true, we will suspend Iranian football. If we had said that we did not have money to give to Wilmots, they would have put the same in the file. 2 months, if no one receives money, they can cancel. We had a contract of 2.2 million dollars, but now we have to pay the fine. Even now, we can not pay this money and the fine will not be suspended because we can raise the issue of sanctions. We owe FIFA.

* If the lawyers found an objection to the Wilmots case, I would accept it

He pointed out: If we brought Lopetegui as well, we would be a corruption case of Lopetegui or Hero. I will publish the contract and if the lawyers find a problem, I will accept it. From today, I suggest that if someone finds out about corruption, it is not the radio station, it is the prosecutor, because the radio station and the media cannot condemn anyone. In the ethics committee of FIFA, we were cleared and so was Iran. Those who are upset about the Wilmots case should file a complaint with the prosecutor’s office because all of us, the 8 members of the board of directors, have signed it and stand by it. I say this for those who say they cannot get over the blood of martyrs and corruption!

Regarding his participation in the elections and his programs, Taj noted: I heard that our letter has arrived and we must interact with the parliament, without interacting with the government, football cannot be managed. We have to solve the problem so that the statute is approved. Esteghlal and Persepolis are also discussed and they were eliminated from the Champions League. EFS has trusted us, but we have destroyed this trust.

*Wilmots was not a good choice

In response to a question that if you go back, you will choose Wilmots again, he stated: No, absolutely! I will bring those who have taken us to the World Cup twice. I agree that Wilmots was not a good choice.

Regarding whether he meant Carlos Queiroz, Taj said: I mean Queiroz’s model, but yes, it could also be Queiroz himself.

Asked if he would keep Skocic if he came, Taj recalled: Skocic is a good coach and I haven’t met him yet. The national team is in a very difficult situation.

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