Iraq’s football federation sacks Vieira

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi football federation decided to sack Brazilian coach Vieira, the federation’s secretary general revealed on Friday, adding the decision was taken during a meeting held under Najih Hammoud in Baghdad on Thursday. “The federation expects the cabinet to endorse the decision on the grounds that Vieira signed the contract with the Iraqi government as far as the financial aspect was concerned while the federation supervised the technical aspect,” Ahmed Abbas told IraqiNews.com news agency. Iraq’s football team coach Vieira, currently suspended, had received half the value of his contract – $300,000 out of $600,000 – when he signed the contract in December 2008. Abbas revealed plans by the federation to sign a new foreign coach to lead the Iraqi national football team in the continental intercontinental tournament. “Several nationalities, including Dutch, German, Russian and Ukrainian coaches, are currently on the negotiating table. Iraq had been kicked out of the first-round games in the Gulf Cup of Nations tournament, known as Khaleeji 19, after he lost 0/1 to Bahrain, 0/4 to hosts Oman and drew 1/1 in its match versus Kuwait. AmR (P) 1