Carlos Queiroz has called for rule changes that would allow Asian and African football to develop, saying the gap between Europe and other continents is getting wider.
Queiroz saw his Iran side narrowly beaten by Spain in their second World Cup Group B fixture, courtesy of Diego Costa’s 54th-minute goal, and he told reporters after the game that many Asian and African nations are at a disadvantage when it comes to developing for success on the world stage.
Having beaten Morocco 1-0 in their opening game, Iran still stand a chance of reaching the World Cup knockout stages by taking points from their final group game against Portugal, but Queiroz did not give a positive assessment when asked whether Asian football was catching up on Europe.
“I have exactly the opposite opinion,” he said. “Two years ago I said European football has taken off far away from other the other countries and continents.
Other continents are struggling. Only the nations that have the opportunity to bring players to Europe have a chance to be closer. For Asia the gap is higher, for Africa the gap is higher.