Jesus Casas on journalists in Iraq: “Tomas Roncero would be Iñaki Gabilondo here” – El Partidazo de COPE

This Monday, the Asian Cup left us with one of the most shocking images, and it was of a Spaniard: Jesus Casas, coach of the Iraqi national team, for his treatment by some informants present at the press conference, after the match in which Jordan knocked out the Iraqi team in the 1/8 finals.

Casas left the match very angry because Iranian referee Alireza Faghani decided to show a second yellow to Hussein, the scorer of the 2-1 score fifteen minutes before the end of the match, and signaled two penalties to Jordan in eight added minutes, resulting in the match ending 2-3. in favor of Jordan.

What Cadiz’s Jesús Casas didn’t know at the final whistle was what awaited him in the press room. The atmosphere became so tense that the police had to intervene to prevent tension from increasing.

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Jesus Casas: “Everything is a little amazing”

Jesús Casas took a call from El Partidazo de COPE to tell how he survived the surreal morning press conference: “This has never happened to me and I don’t know if it will happen again. It’s a little surprising“, He said.

Casas explained that among the Iraqi journalists were “unaccredited media, as we know in Spain. Anyone with an Instagram account with 100,000 followers or a YouTube channel is already here.“.

Moreover, the press conference did not go as expected: “During the game, I sent off a player for taking too long to celebrate. In any other country you would be asked about the referee or about the sending off.“But everything was wrong.”I was asked about a player who left training camp for psychological reasons and whether the hotel for training camp was not suitable. And three days ago I gave an interview to Qatari media, and they asked me about it. After this, the second question returns to the interview; and the third, attacking me with a tirade, asks me: “Do you think it’s normal that you are the only one of all the selectors who did not give an interview?” I was already tired and answered him in monosyllables

“.

At this moment with a sharp “Yeah“When asked by Jesus Casas, several people stand up and start threatening him: “A chaos forms and the police enter.“. The coach at this moment does not feel that any of those who threatened him could physically attack him: “There was one typical “get over it, I’ll give it to him” type who was a little aggressive, but I don’t think it was a big deal. But looking at the photos, I understand that my family was worried.“.

Upset journalists left the press room, and Jesus, who did not want to “suspend it because there were accredited media“, he continued to answer without further incident.

Casas talks about ‘Iraqi hospitality’

In contrast to the image created by unpresentable journalists, Casas broke the spear in favor of the Iraqi Football Federation, from which he received all the support, and the country: “This is a wonderful country that welcomed us“In addition, the coach believes that Juanma Castaño would be well recognized by Iraqi fans:”Surely they know you, because they are crazy about Spanish football. But this is a super hospitable community. It is a pity that the name of this country is tarnished by those few who wanted to organize this circus.

“He lamented that this does not mean that Iraqi sports media has its own characteristics:”Tomas Roncero would be Iñaki Gabilondo here.“he joked.

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH JESUS ​​CASAS, IRAQI COACH, AS HE REALIZES THE HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT FOUND AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE

After the head of tension occurred this Monday, he commented: “Now, in the hot weather, the idea is to go back to Spain, calm down, talk to the family who are suffering because of all this, and then we’ll see.“, he concluded.