Queiroz and Masoud Shojaei's 'Confession'; Revelations from Khabar Varzeshi Newspaper

While Ali Karimi's sharp criticisms are the main topic of the day in Iranian sports, the most widely circulated sports newspaper has dedicated its main headline to revelations about Masoud Shojaei. Khabar Varzeshi's Saturday edition states: 'Behind the scenes of Shojaei's removal from the national team, seven is gone for good.' The newspaper refers to the captain of Iran's national football team's jersey number, which will no longer be called up after the match between Greece's Panionios and Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League. Khabar Varzeshi writes: 'If you check social media, you will still see hashtags supporting Masoud Shojaei. Under the posts of most national team players, there are fans hoping he will return.' According to this newspaper, Masoud was one of Iran's best players in the World Cup qualifiers and performed very well against Qatar and China, but it can be said with certainty that he no longer has a place in the national team. Khabar Varzeshi has raised new points regarding the story of Shojaei's removal from the national team and the text known as the 'Confession Letter.' This note was published by Ehsan Haj Safi, Shojaei's teammate at Panionios, but Shojaei refused to comment. A part of the mentioned text, which only Haj Safi published, stated: 'We will move forward in the path of revolution and leadership.' Khabar Varzeshi wrote: 'Queiroz told Masoud that if you want to return to the national team, post the statement on your Instagram. However, Masoud insisted that he was only adhering to his professional contract.' These statements come as Queiroz, in response to Reuters about Masoud Shojaei, said: 'Do not expect me to give a political or religious answer. My father taught me to never lie in football.' The Tasnim website also welcomed this interview, headlining: 'Queiroz gathered the controversies like Shojaei and Reuters in one place.' Now the question from both sides of the story, namely Queiroz and Shojaei, is how the Khabar Varzeshi newspaper obtained this information? Did Queiroz become part of a political saga by requesting the publication of the text known as the 'Confession Letter'? Otherwise, he will deny the Khabar Varzeshi article. However, on the first day of the article's publication, there was no denial. Khabar Varzeshi wrote: If Masoud publishes the statement, he will return, but those who know him understand that he will not back down from his positions. The era of Masoud Shojaei in the national team has come to an end. At the end of the article, it is stated: 'Masoud participated in two World Cups and played. Shojaei could have gone to the World Cup for the third time and set a record that perhaps no player could repeat.' While Shojaei has been sidelined from the national team, experts believe his absence as an experienced player in the central midfield position is evident. Many football and art stars have supported Masoud Shojaei. This sports issue has even been joined by figures such as Mohammad Mayeli Kohan and Amir Ghalenooyi.