Nayeemuddin, PK Banerjee shown the door, AIFF opts for foreign coach

New Delhi, Mar 9 (UNI) The 0-3 defeat against Yemen in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier cost Indian football team coach Syed Nayeemuddin and manager PK Banerjee their job as AIFF decided to show them the door and opting for a coach from abroad.

The Executive Committee meeting of the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) here yesterday reviewed the performance of the national team and majority of the members decided the entire support staff had to go after losing to Yemen which is much lower than India in the FIFA rankings.

However, to put it in milder terms, the AIFF in a release today said, '' Considering the preparation of the Indian team in Asian games, it was decided to reorganise the technical team of the AIFF and approach FIFA and AFC for a suitable foreign coach.'' Apart from, Nayeem and Banerjee, other support staff included assistant coach Gabriel Joseph and goalkeeping coach Atanu Bhattacharya.

The Indian team is scheduled to take part in a four-nation tournament in Vancouver starting in July 20 and the players will sweat it out in a one month-long camp for the tourney and AIFF is eager to rope in a foreign coach before that.

Regarding Air India's objection for a replay of the National League Football match with Fransa Pax, the AIFF Executive Commitee has decided to refer the issue to its Appeal Committee which will meet within 10 days and announce their decision.

It was also decided to send the Indian under-20 team, with a few players from the second division National Football League, for the Challenge Cup, the release added.

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