Local News

The financially strapped J League team Oita Trinita announced it will release coach Ranko Popovic as part of its financial reconstruction program. The team, which was relegated from the J League’s top tier, and received financial assistance from the league, will cut its overall player salary total of one billion yen by roughly half for next season. The coach was resigned to having his salary reduced, but incidental expenses for interpreters and travel proved to be too much of a burden for the financially strapped team.