J-League Urawa Reds manager Volker Finke has been slammed by Japan's football chief after chiding one of his players for not falling down when he was bumped inside the penalty area.
"I cannot believe it. He is not qualified to be a manager. He should be expelled," Japanese Football Association president Motoaki Inukai said on a radio talk show.
"A manager must have other things to tell his players. It is unfortunate for players to have such a manager," added Inukai, a former Urawa Reds president.
Finke, a 61-year-old German who coached SC Freiburg from 1991 to 2007 before signing with the Reds last December, sparked the controversy after a 2-1 defeat to Sanfrecce Hiroshima away on Saturday.
The criticism was echoed by the chairman of the association's referee committee, Yasuhiro Matsuzaki.
"It is outrageous at a time when people are trying to stamp out simulation in the world," he said, referring to the practise of faking being fouled.
After Saturday's game, Finke denounced Reds striker Sergio Escudero for not falling down for a penalty when he appeared to have been fouled by a Sanfrecce defender.
The 20-year-old Spaniard remained on his feet and battled for the ball.
"I felt extremely angry when (Escudero) did not fall when he was fouled," Finke said. "He should have fallen down and given us a chance because we could have drawn the game."
But after learning about Inukai's criticism, Finke told Japanese media: "Escudero showed fair play when he held on. I am not advocating simulation. I agree with the association on this."
Urawa Reds have been struggling under Finke. The country's best supported side are currently placed seventh in the 18-club J-League first division.
Source: China Daily/Agency
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