"If the state doesn't invest money, Uzbek football will die" - Interview with Otkir Yusupov
National team goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov spoke about waiving $105,000 of his salary to leave the Iranian club, his decision to return to "Navbahor", and financial problems in the Super League. He answered questions about why Fabio Cannavaro personally explained not calling him up for the national team's last training camp, the reasons for the failure at the World Cup, and the competition with Ignatiy Nesterov.
"Uzbek football will die if the state does not invest" - Conversation with Utkir Yusupov
- Before our interview, you were telling an interesting story about your return from Iran. If I am not mistaken, war broke out a few days after you left Iran. First of all, could you explain what caused you to leave Iran? You had found your place there and were in good form.
- I got injured in the national team's match against Iran. Then I had surgery and went through the recovery process. After returning to the club, I remained on the bench. Since the World Cup was approaching, I really needed match practice. That is why I decided to leave.
Our coach Yahya Golmohammadi is a very good person. I went to him and explained the situation. He said, "No, we need you, stay, you will play." But deep down, I wanted to leave.
Various teams from Uzbekistan were also calling and making offers. There was particularly strong interest from Namangan. Even when I told them that I had not yet sorted out my documents with the Iranian club, they said, "Just come, we will sign a contract, if it doesn't work out, we'll tear it up."
Then I went to the club president and explained the situation. I told him that I needed to prepare for the World Cup and play regularly. He said, "If the coach gives permission, I will let you go."
When I went to the coach, he agreed. When I returned to the president, he said, "The coach did not give permission." In this way, I was strung along for a long time. They were neither giving me my money nor letting me go.
- How much of your salary was left unpaid?
- 105 thousand dollars.
- So, you gave up 105 thousand dollars to leave?
- Yes. I went to the president and told him that this money of mine could remain, and that "Navbahor" would also pay a certain amount for the transfer. But they said, "We bought you, we cannot let you go for free."
In the end, I got written permission from the coach. Then they transferred the transfer money from Tashkent.