Did China Fire Their Soccer Coach By Email?

An interesting small article in yesterday's Beijing People's Daily said that China's women's soccer coach Elisabeth Loisel was returning to China despite receiving an email that asked her not to return:

"It is impossible for us to continue the commitment of your contract, and we are sorry to inform you that you do not have to come to China and coach the team again."

This is not the first time this blog reported on people being sacked by email.  But, this seemed to be a very high profile way of terminating a contract.  Loisel is also quoted as saying that the email could be a fraud:

"There is no signature and no stamp (on the e-mail). I have no idea about the email's credibility," said the embattled coach, who has been in deep water with Chinese officials for several weeks. "As I did not receive the official decision about my future, I will fly to Beijing according to my original schedule.

With the Olympics coming to China later this year, all form of sport has become very visible.  Loisel reportedly failed to improve the team since taking the job last October and has been in an argument with China Football Association (CFA).  The article suggests that the email is legitimate, saying:

"Reports said the email was sent to Loisel with the authorization of CFA vice-president Xie Yalong"

"CFA ignored Loisel's (training) list, omitting veteran winger Zhang Ouying, a player strongly backed by Loisel, and called up some new faces.  It is a strong sign the coach's tenure has indeed come to an end. Despite Loisel's arrival in Beijing today, it is unlikely she will attend the training session that begins tomorrow and ends May 8."