Halilhodzic Files Lawsuit against JFA over Dismissal

May 25, 2018

Tokyo- Vahid Halilhodzic, fired as coach of Japan's national soccer team last month, on Thursday sued the Japan Football Association and its president, Kozo Tashima, to seek an apology for damage to his reputation.

Halilhodzic, 66, claimed he was defamed by the JFA. Tashima told a news conference on April 9 that the association terminated the contract because the relationship between him and the team had broken down.

In the lawsuit filed with Tokyo District Court, Halilhodzic also seeks symbolic damages of one yen.

The association not only trampled on his honor but also his hard work with the team over the past three years and the feelings of supporters, Halilhodzic said in a statement released through his attorney.

He also said he cannot tolerate such disrespectful remarks or treatment.

The JFA dismissed him on April 7, just two months before the opening of the World Cup finals in Russia in June.

According to the complaint, Halilhodzic said he was labeled as a person with a personality problem because of the association's false explanation.

He also claimed his fame and reputation were lost in an instant.

The lawsuit would not have gone ahead if the association had properly explained the reason for the dismissal, Halilhodzic's attorney told a press conference.

The association said it has yet to read the complaint, but that it does not think it defamed him.

There was no problem with the process of terminating Halilhodzic's contract, and payment for his remaining term was made in full, the association also said. Jiji Press