Axed coach may ask Fifa to step in to settle row

Dubai: The outgoing coach of Al Shaab may ask world governing body Fifa to intervene in an attempt to arrive at an amicable solution.

"I have been following all the rules in trying to get my issue addressed by the club and the UAE Football Association. But nothing seems to have worked so far," Luka Berzovic told Gulf News.

Berzovic was sacked by Al Shaab on October 19 following a string of poor results for the team since the start of the season.

Two days later the coach wrote to the club asking for his final settlement as per the contract.

The club has reportedly not replied to Berzovic, thereby forcing the coach to seek a redressal of the issue from the UAE FA.

"But the football association too has not got back to me on this," Berzovic said.

Following his dismissal Berzovic is continuing to stay in his hotel accommodation in Sharjah.

"The club did not even give me the apartment and car that they had promised me in the contract," he said.

"I am not asking for too much. All I want is that Al Shaab respect and honour the contract that we signed at the start of the season," Berzovic said.

No option

"In case the club does not honour this contract then I will have no option but to approach Fifa," he added.

Ganem Al Hajiri, president of the board of directors told Gulf News that lawyers representing the club and the coach were meeting in an attempt to arrive at an amicable solution.

"Once the lawyers convey their decision to us, we will endorse it," Al Hajiri said.

Incidentally, Al Shaab is also having an issue with their new coach from Egypt Ayman Rammadi, who took over from Berzovic.

Rammadi left Al Dhafrah and the club has claimed their their departing coach owes them a signing fee of $100,000 (Dh367,300) in addition to two months salary.