Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz has issued a stinging rebuke to Jurgen Klinsmann following his criticism of the way his side played against Wales.
Klinsmann was working as a pundit for the BBC as he covered the Group B clash at the World Cup. Iran scored two goals in stoppage time to claim a crucial win, which puts them in with a good chance of reaching the last 16 of the tournament.
But despite their win over Wales, Klinsmann was left unimpressed by their physical approach to the game, as they gave away 10 fouls and two bookings. That led to him claiming that the approach was part of their "culture" in comments many have criticised.
"That's their culture, that's their way of doing it. That's why Carlos Queiroz fits really well with the Iranian national team. He struggled in South America, failed to qualify with Colombia then failed to qualify with Egypt as well," Klinsmann said.
"Just before the World Cup he went back and guided Iran where he worked for a long time. This is not by coincidence, it is all purposely. It is part of their culture and how they play it, they worked the referee perfectly.
"The bench was always jumping up and working the linesman and the fourth official on the sideline. They're constantly in your ear and your face. Keiffer Moore will probably tell you some stories after this game, he had a lot of little incidents out there that we didn't see.
"This is their culture, they kind of make you lose your focus and concentration, what's really important to you. It would have been a big difference with another referee. They had a Guatemalan referee.
"I worked in the USA for six years and went to Guatalmala, Honduras, Costa Rica. This fits their culture basically. They have five people around them and talk it out."
Those comments have unsurprisingly left Queiroz furious, with the Iran coach now hitting back in an open letter on Twitter. In the letter he invited Klinsmann to visit the Iranian training camp, but only after resigning from FIFA's Qatar 2022 Technical Study Group.
He wrote: "Dear Jurgen;
"You took the initiative to call me Carlos, so I believe it is proper to call you Jurgen. Right? Even not knowing me personally, you question my character with a typical prejudiced judgment of superiority.
"No matter how much I can respect what you did inside the pitch, those remarks about Iran Culture, Iran National Team and my Players are a disgrace to Football. Nobody can hurt our integrity if it is not at our level, of course.
"Even saying so, we would like to invite you as our guest, to come to our National Team Camp, socialize with Iran players and learn from them about the Country, the people of Iran, the poets and art, the algebra, all the millennial Persian culture and also listen from our players how much they love and respect Football.
"As American/German, we understand your no support. No problem. And despite your outrageous remarks on BBC trying to undermine our efforts, sacrifices and skills, we promise you that we will not produce any judgments regarding your culture, roots and background and that you will always be welcome to our Family.
"At the same time, we just want to follow with full attention what will be the decision of FIFA regarding your position as a member of Qatar 2022 Technical Study Group. Because, obviously, we expect you to resign before you visit our camp.
"Carlos."
Iran face the United States in their final game of the group stages on Tuesday. They are currently second in Group B, behind England, and will reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history if they win.
