May 22 – Vahid Halilhodzic (pictured) is suing the Japanese Football Association (JFA) following his dismissal as Japan coach with just months left to the World Cup. He is seeking an apology and symbolic indemnification.
Halilhodzic was axed as coach of Japan following a string of disappointing results, leaving Japan’s World Cup ambitions in turmoil. He was succeed by Akira Nishino, but the untimely dismissal in April hasn’t gone down well at all with the Bosnian coach.
Lionel Vincent, Halilhodzic’s lawyer, has explained that his client is asking for an apology from JFA president Kozo Tashima and indemnification of 1 Japanese yen, less than 1 cent, via the courts. The lawsuit stems from the Bosnian’s dissatisfaction and anger over his sacking. The lawsuit will be filled on Thursday, according to Vincent. “We’re doing this for honoor, and there’s no price for honour,” Vincent told the AP.
The JFA said Halilhodzic was fired for a “lack of communication”.
“The reason why he was dismissed is not clear for us,” said Vincent. “When you say there was a lack of communication, what does that mean?”
“We’re dealing here with a big organisation. So it’s quite surprising to see the president doing things on his own without any respect for the rules he’s supposed to protect. The JFA should have the honesty to say — maybe there were some issues and what they were.”
The Bosnian was appointed in 2015 after he led Algeria to the last 16 at the World Cup in Brazil. The Algerians and Halilhodzic were eliminated by eventual world champions Germany in extra time. Halildhodzic led Japan through the qualifiers, but the campaign wasn’t entirely convincing. Recent results – a 1-1 draw with Mali and a 2-1 loss to Ukraine – were also disappointing.
The dismissal was a deja vu for Halilhodzic. In 2010, Ivory Coast sacked Halilhodzic with months left until the kick-off of the World Cup in South Africa.
Japan will play Colombia, Poland, and Senegal in group H. They have never passed beyond the round of 16 stage of the competition.
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