New JFA chief blasts 'soft' Japanese players

Japan's new soccer chief Motoaki Inukai has accused the country's footballers of being "spoiled" and ordered them to be more professional. Inukai said his first priority would be to halt an alarming slide in the national side's popularity after...

Japan's new soccer chief Motoaki Inukai has accused the country's footballers of being "spoiled" and ordered them to be more professional. Inukai said his first priority would be to halt an alarming slide in the national side's popularity after becoming president of the Japan Football Association (JFA).

"I think the players still lack professionalism," the 66-year-old told reporters yesterday.

"We spoil the players too much in this country. I don't feel they need to be given a 'cooling down' period the day after a game.

"They should be on TV the morning after games talking about the match with supporters, like they do in countries like Germany."

Tennis player Kimiko Date and former rugby coach Seiji Hirao also joined the JFA's executive board in a bid to bring new ideas to the association. Inukai's appointment as successor to 71-year-old Saburo Kawabuchi was approved on Saturday.

Kawabuchi's close relationship with FIFA president Sepp Blatter helped win Japan hosting rights to the Club World Cup from 2005-08 and 2011-12.

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