Tue, June 26, 2012
MOSCOW, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Russian Football Union chief resigned Monday and apologized for the national squad's failure during the Euro 2012 tournament.
Sergei Fursenko, head of the RFS, told President Vladimir Putin his decision during a morning meeting.
"I have made a hard decision, that is to resign as president of the Russian Football Union," Fursenko said. "It was regrettable that the national team dropped out of the Euro 2012. It's sad since our team was very strong, and (the chief coach) Dick Avocaat has done a good job."
Fursenko admitted the team's performance during the group stage was disappointing for Russian fans who "certainly expected a different result." The football authorities need to review the results and learn lessons, the official said.
Fursenko's resignation came two days after Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko slammed the RFS on the Euro failure.
The team's potential was higher than the final results, but its performance crushed Russian fans' dream, Mutko said.
Mutko urged sports authorities to revitalize the Russian school of coaches which "fell 20 years ago" with the collapse of the Soviet Union. After Dutch coach Advocaat's leave, a new coach for the national team should be named soon, Mutko said.
A 4-1 victory over the Czech Republic, a 1-1 draw with Poland and a 1-0 defeat to Greece ended Russian's quarterfinals road in the tournament.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) last week fined RFS for 35,000 euros (about 44,000 U.S. dollars) for supporters' illegal banners during its game with Greece on June 16.
