CROATIAN FOOTBALL TEAM SELECTOR SUBMITS RESIGNATION

ZAGREB, Oct 22 (Hina) - The selector of the Croatian football team, Miroslav Blazevic, Thursday night submitted his resignation to the post. "I have decided to withdraw," Blazevic told Croatian Television's "Motrista" show Thursday night. The Croatian national football team last year won third place in the world championship, but failed to enter the European championship this year. Blazevic apologised to the president of the Croatian Football Federation, Vlatko Marinkovic, for having given notice about his resignation to the media first. "...Whether I am the fifth in Europe or third in the world, after one defeat, it is questionable whether Ciro Blazevic should continue to be trusted. I think the people in football will be the happiest with my decision, because it is evident everybody is fed up with me," Blazevic said. Blazevic said the "people in football" mostly influenced his decision. "These people conduct themselves as reporters present facts to them," Blazevic said, complaining that three renowned reporters kept requesting his head on a platter. "In the end they managed to lead me to such a state where I said -- here's my head for you, and you will possibly find someone to lead the team as successfully as I have led them". Asked whether there was anything that could change his mind, Blazevic said he had definitely decided to ask the Croatian Football Federation to sever all work relations. (hina) lml jn