The fervent desire of Junya Ito’s Japanese teammates was not enough. It was believed that the Japanese federation was going to change its position on the expulsion from Qatar (where the Samurai Blue will play the quarter-finals of the Asian Nations Cup against Iran on Saturday, at 12:30 p.m.) Reims striker, Peru (4-1) on June 20, 2023 ) after a friendly match against two women accused of sexual assault, Osaka police launched an investigation and summoned Ito.
From Doha, the national team director, Masakuni Yamamoto, also revealed on Friday about the initial decision to part ways with Ito: “ We decided to make adjustments to keep it. » But he clarified that the final decision will be announced this Friday after an internal investigation from Japan and an interview with the player.
“I apologize for changing my mind twice”
Kozo Tajima, President of the Japanese Federation
And the federation’s president, Kozo Tajima, who remained in Tokyo, declared: “ After consulting the coach, Hakeem Moriasu, it was decided to leave Eto’o. We have to create an environment where the team can focus on football. We have taken a global decision », is therefore put forward during the initial decision, taking into account the physical and mental state of Ito. And he concluded: ” I apologize for changing my mind twice. »
This time, Junya Eto’o (30 years old, 54 caps, 13 goals), who participated in three matches of the first round of the Asian Cup, but remained on the bench in the round of 16 against Bahrain (3-1). , will therefore return to Reims, which supported his player and where he scored two goals and offered four assists in 17 L1 matches this season. But it is hard to imagine that he will be able to play against Toulouse on Sunday (3 pm, Day 20). However…
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