This is the sport foroum and I dont want to make any political statement, but there are two things that are facts and both have t be mentioned, As Iranians we have to stop seeing everything as black or white. When we love somebody, we do everything in our power to come with excuses to make the person look good even when he says or does something wrong or stupied. and Also the opposite when we hate somebody even if he does or say something good we still wants to turn and twist it and make it look bad.
So going back to Ghotbi and the two things that are facts and no matter if you love or hate him have to accept it.
1) Ghotbi Should have never attended AN's cermony. He could have come up with excuse, acts as he is sick, fly to Korea to meet wife for emergency and other BS excuses. One person who deserve respect is Ali Daei, as far as I know he never got himself into a situation to end up next to AN. Remember he is the MOST FAMOUS Iranian sport personality. He still hold the record for most number of goals scored in the world. I bet you AN and his gang did their best to get him there but he didn't. He didn't even show up for AN's footsal game with the south american president. Beside Daei there are other examples like, Sejed hasan khomeini, who did not show up. Or Hejazi who came out and told the world about how Mashaei came to use him/buy him for a photo OP.
The end of the story is Ghotbi owe Iranian nation an appology, atleast if you are not helping the cause don't go against it. End of part one no excuses NO BS.
2)Ghotbi has done great with Team melli this can't be denied either. We might get kicked out on Saturday, but I still stand by what Ive said right now. This team is the most Starless team of the past 23 years that I can remember. From 1988 that I can remember team melli untill today, I can't remember any team being as low on stars as this one. The only Star that we have is Nekounam and he is declining. IMO Nekonam was on top of his Career 2 years ago, neverthless he is still good and a star. We have a couple of half stars, which are Teymoorian and Shojaeei. WE do have a really good goal keeper. But the rest of the team are no names. This team plays like a team. Ghotbi line up, his substitutions, team work, all have been great. You have to give credit when credit is due. In 2000, 2004, 2007, with the talent that we had we were expecting to reach far.
This team has no individual star as mentioned earlier. We dont have a speedy players like KIA. We dont have amazing forwards/great headers like Daei or Hashemian. We don't have Azizi or/and Dribblers like Karimi.
To summerize the above and directly to Ghotbi:
Ghotbi... You owe The Iranian nation huge appology but Thank you for bringing Team Melli back to life. Good luck in Japan, and hopefully we will see you next time in a FREE IRAN.