Queiroz: Elbow is a red card - rules aren't different for Ronaldo, Messi

Iran's manager, Carlos Queiroz, expressed dismay at his post-game press conference over a pivotal call, and a lack of communication with the referees, during Iran's dramatic elimination from the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Portugal on Monday.

Cristiano Ronaldo was shown just a yellow card when the Portuguese captain appeared to swing his right elbow into the face of Morteza Pouraliganji. The final decision went to video review, but the Real Madrid star received just a caution.

Queiroz used an analogy of how his daughter cannot be half-pregnant, only pregnant, to illustrate how an elbow is a red card, with no grey area in the rules.

"There is the elbow. Elbow is red card in the rules. In the rules it doesn't say if it is (Lionel) Messi or Ronaldo," Queiroz complained. He also continually alluded to the FIFA staff in attendance at the press conference, risking disciplinary action with his emotional assessment of the match.

Queiroz wished both his native Portugal and Ronaldo luck for the remainder of the tournament, but repeatedly aired grievances about one of the game's crucial call.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

"When you have high technology, training, thousands of dollars spending on one system, five guys sitting upstairs, and they don't see an elbow - it's a yellow card? Give me a break," he said. "Honestly, give me a break."

He added: "It is clearly an elbow. What is the rule about Ronaldo? It's a half-elbow?"

The 65-year-old concluded that VAR hasn't been a success in football, and suggested that the sport take inspiration from how rugby handles technology. When a rugby referee is using video to make a decision, his conversation with his assistants viewing the footage is audible, making it a more transparent process for coaches.

However, the result stands. Portugal took second spot in Group B, but was on the cusp of elimination itself when Iran's Mehdi Taremi lashed a ball at the side-netting in the closing moments. If that was converted, Iran would have leapfrogged both Portugal and Spain - the latter of whom was embroiled in its own thrilling and controversial encounter with Morocco - into first place.

Related - As it happened: A timeline of the wild events in Group B

"As you can see, I'm not a good loser," Queiroz confessed.