Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has lashed out at FIFA after his team's elimination from the 2018 World Cup, insisting that Cristiano Ronaldo should have been sent off due to his off-the-ball elbow against Morteza Pouraliganji during the Portugal-Iran match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Queiroz lamented the decision by referee Enrique Caceres who refrained from giving a red car to Ronaldo even after using the VAR (video assistant referee) system.
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"The reality is you stop the game for VAR and there is an elbow. An elbow is a red card in the rules. The rules don't say if it is Messi or Ronaldo," Queiroz emphasized.
#Ronaldo deserved #redminote5
— ibrahim🏞️🇦🇫 (@ibrahim8198) 26 июня 2018 г.
for elbow, says Iran coach #Queiroz
source: RTL Today — https://t.co/AIzu8RnYja#RUSSIA_2018 #RussiaWorldCup2018 #FootballWorldCup2018 #FootballFever #football #sports #FifaWorldCup2018 pic.twitter.com/ywbhqNoBdV
He added that the question is not about the referees and that it pertains to "the attitude and the bravery and the character."
Iran is the best team in group B, so much heart in their play, they were robbed of a penalty and Ronaldo should have been redcarded for that elbow. #IRNPOR #Worldcup
— Fat Gooše (@Samosyris) 25 июня 2018 г.
"The decisions must be clear for everybody, for the people. In my opinion, [President FIFA] Mr. Infantino and FIFA, VAR is not going well. That is the reality," Queiroz noted.
He called for the truth to be respected and urged FIFA to pay attention to "who is refereeing the games."
The referee in Iran-Portugal is incompetent. No penalty kick given to Iran on legit penalties, and then no red card (only a yellow) to Ronaldo for whacking an Iranian player in the face with his elbow well away from the ball.
— Jared Lee (@JaredALee) 25 июня 2018 г.
"If you implement VAR then to make mistakes is not human. To make mistakes is when a man alone on the pitch could not see something. We accept that. But when you have high-technology, training, thousands of dollars spent on one system and five guys sitting upstairs and they don't see an elbow. "It's a yellow card? Give me a break," he said.
Ronaldo's teammates will face Uruguay in Sochi on Saturday, while Iran has been knocked out of the tournament.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 14 and will continue until July 15, with matches being played in 11 cities across Russia.
