![Head coach Carlos Queiroz of Iran during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar. [Mustafa Yalçın/AA]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Untitled-1-copy.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Iran’s football manager, Carlos Queiroz, dodged a question from a reporter over ongoing protests in the country, saying he only wanted to talk about the game, Anadolu News Agency reports.
At a press conference on Thursday, ahead of Iran’s game against Wales, Queiroz told a BBC reporter: “Why don’t you ask such questions to (England’s coach) Southgate?”
“That is the only question I make. Why don’t you ask the other coaches? Why don’t you ask Southgate: What do you think about England, the United States, and [pulling
out of] Afghanistan?” he said, according to ITV.
While accepting that reporters have the right to ask any question they want, he said: “It is important that if we answer whatever we want, you also need to respect that.”
Mass protests have rocked Iran after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody. She was arrested for being immodestly dressed.
![Fury grows in Iran over woman who died after hijab arrest - Cartoon [Sabaaneh/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_5598.jpeg?resize=933%2C579&ssl=1)
Fury grows in Iran over woman who died after hijab arrest – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/Middle East Monitor]
READ: Gonsalves defends Qatar amidst ‘deranged and unhinged’ criticism over World Cup