LIMA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Peru coach Ricardo Gareca has signed a three-year contract extension, ending weeks of speculation about his future.
The 60-year-old Argentinian will be given the option to extend the deal until after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, should Peru qualify.
"I want to thank the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) for believing in us [the coaching staff]," Gareca told a news conference. "I am happy to renew for another three years."
Gareca, who was appointed Peru coach in February 2015, guided the Blanquirroja to their first World Cup finals in 36 years this summer. The South American outfit failed to reach the knockout stage in Russia, but ended the tournament on a high with a 2-0 victory over Australia.
Wednesday's announcement comes amid an ongoing scandal involving FPF president Edwin Oviedo, who has been accused of giving World Cup tickets to a judge who omitted him from a murder probe.
Oviedo has been under mounting pressure to resign and Peru national team sports director Juan Carlos Oblitas last week admitted the allegations could prompt Gareca to leave his post.
"I'm committed to the federation and the country, not to any particular person," Gareca said when asked about the scandal. "The president of the FPF is here, he was there when I signed my new contract. I'm committed to the sport. I don't like to judge people. That's what the courts are for." Enditem
