I was hanged without trial: Nayeem

Kolkata, Mar 28 (UNI) Dronacharya Sayeed Nayeemuddin today said his unilateral sacking as the national soccer coach was like hanged without the trial.

Talking to the media here Nayeemuddin said, ''Even a murderer is asked for his last wish before he is hanged. But in my case I was hanged without being given a chance to give an explanation.'' Justifying poor results against Yemen, Nayeem said nearly two days after winning the SAF cup, I was told by AIFF Secretary Albarto Colaco that the players were complaining that I made them work very hard.

''The camp at Delhi was a disaster. The Nehru stadium was in poor condition. There were nails in the ground and the grass was not cropped properly,'' he said.

He told that even Baichung Bhutia and P K Banerjee had complained against him and his methods.

He said, ''They did not tell me anything. As far as I am concerned my players are absolutely loyal to me.'' He also said that the decision to remove him was premeditated and the results had nothing to do with it. Though, he added that AIFF Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi was very co-operative.

When asked if Colaco was responsible for his removal, he said, ,''I would not like to comment on that.'' Regarding the foreign coaches he said, ''I have full respect for them and their abilities. But India do have coaches like Amal Dutta and P K Banerjee.'' UNI BA JYN/DH RK1858