At the 2024 Futsal World Cup, the Thai team showed quite impressive performance. Coach Miguel Rodrigo’s team defeated Croatia 2-1 and then beat Cuba 10-5. Despite losing 1-9 to Brazil in the final round, the Thai team still entered the knockout round as second in the group.
Thailand futsal team early wins ticket to World Cup round of 16
The opponent of the “War Elephants” was determined to be the losing team in the match between France and Iran in Group F. However, the developments in this match made coach Miguel Rodrigo upset. Iran and France played slowly in the first half, drawing 0-0. It was not until the second half that Iran was the team to increase the tempo of the match and win 4-1.
While watching the match, coach Miguel Rodrigo posted an unbelievable message on his personal page. The former coach of the Vietnamese futsal team wrote: “No matter what happens on September 27, I accept that perhaps the Thai team is the weakest team, because of what happened today in Bukhara.
To the representatives of the Iranian and French Football Federations, those sitting in the stands, all the coaches and players of both teams on the pitch, you are dishonoring the sport. Our opponents could have been Iran or France because both teams did not seem to want to play in the first half. Both teams played to lose, no one wanted to shoot at the goal. What was seen was a disgrace.”
Not stopping there, he also mentioned the Iranian team deliberately losing to Argentina at the 2021 Futsal World Cup, to fall into an easier draw. He emphasized: “Both teams should never step on the futsal field again. The two teams represent everything that is contrary to the spirit of fairness and the values of an elite athlete. I feel disgusted and have lost respect for you as a colleague and a player.”
Coach Miguel Rodrigo’s comments make IFA feel offended
Coach Miguel Rodrigo’s actions have received attention from the Thai media as well as the IFA. By the evening of September 23, the IFA had officially filed a complaint with the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The IFA believes that the 54-year-old coach has insulted the players and FIFA and AFC must take action.
“Coach Miguel Rodrigo posted an article insulting the Iranian futsal team with unprofessional and inappropriate comments. According to article 11 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the Iranian Football Federation has considered these comments insulting,” Iran’s national television channel NIRT said.
Coach Miguel Rodrigo has been officially sued by the IFA.
According to the newspaper SiamsportCoach Miguel Rodrigo has received notice that he is being sued by the IFA. However, the captain of the Thai team is still comfortable and he will continue to lead the “War Elephants” to compete in the round of 16 of the 2024 Futsal World Cup, against France on September 27.
