Keith Hackett

Sun 4 December 2022 13:37, UK

Jurgen Klinsmann does not need to resign from his position on the Fifa technical committee for his comments on Iran’s treatment of Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore and the rest of the Wales team.

That is the view of ex-Fifa, Uefa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Klinsmann’s controversial comments after Iran’s 2-0 victory over Wales last month (25 November).

The Germany legend, 58, told BBC Sport that Iran’s “culture” was to be physical and get in the face of the officials.

He also claimed that Bournemouth ace Moore would be able to tell a few stories from the game due to his treatment by the Iran defence.

Iran boss Carlos Queiroz took to Twitter on 26 November to hit back at Klinsmann’s comments and question his role with Fifa.

“I think that Klinsmann will always put across his view and it’s a valued view,” Hackett told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley.

“Ignore his role in the political scene that Iran are unhappy with, he’s there as a pundit, he’s making an observation.

“There is no question that there are countries approaching these games physically and applying pressures to referees. That’s tha nature of how countries play. I don’t see a problem there.

“If they want to get into the face of the referee then it’s the job of the referee to resolve those issues, it’s up to the referee to apply the laws of the game when they see foul challenges.

“He’s making a genuine observation as a pundit. Iran are a physical side and are in the face of referees but they are not alone in that.

“There is a fair amount of physicality and there was a fair amount of disputing the referee’s decision that concerned me.

“The referees at the World Cup set the example around the world. It’s like youngsters watching players and their skill set. It’s no different in refereeing.”

In other news, Arsenal have set their sights on two January signings as a £50million raid is plotted.