Argentina coach quits over FA leadership crisis

Argentina coach, Gerardo Martino, resigned on Tuesday, citing a leadership vacuum at the Argentine Football Association, the AFA said in a statement.
Martino, who also cited problems trying to pick an 18-man squad for the Olympic football tournament in Rio de Janeiro in August, is leaving at a difficult period for Argentine football.
A statement issued by the AFA in Martino’s name disclosed: “Owing to the lack of decisions in naming new authorities in the Argentine Football Association, the national team’s coaching staff has decided to present its resignation today.
“In addition to this lack of decisions, there are serious problems in choosing the squad to represent the country at the upcoming Olympic Games, and it is better to leave now.”
But this decision has come at an inauspicious time.
Martino’s team lost on penalty kicks to Chile in the Copa America final on June 26.
Some moments after this, the team’s mercurial captain, Lionel Messi, announced he was quitting playing for the national team, a decision that has been linked to the AFA crisis.
Reuters/NAN.