JEF United Chiba said Tuesday they have released Bulgarian defender Ilian Stoyanov, who last month threatened to quit unless the J. League club fires manager Amar Osim. Stoyanov will leave JEF after the first-division side suspended him as part of its disciplinary action, while looking in vain for a new club for the 30-year-old player. Stoyanov, who joined JEF in 2005, criticized the son of Japan coach Ivica Osim last month when they were crawling near the bottom of the 18-team table. JEF are currently 14th with 19 points from 18 matches, 22 points adrift of leader Gamba Osaka.
