Soccer-Former Japan boss Aguirre takes charge of UAE club

DUBAI, June 19 (Reuters) - Javier Aguirre, who was fired by Japan in February because of his alleged involvement in a match-fixing investigation, has returned to management with United Arab Emirates club Al-Wahda. The Mexican replaces Saudi Arabian Sami Al Jaber, whose contract was not renewed after the club's fourth-placed finish in the Arabian Gulf League last month. "Aguirre has signed a one-year extendable contract," Al-Wahda board member Jamal Mohammed Al Hosani was quoted as saying by the National. "The new coach is a great asset for the club as he has vast experience and a successful record as a coach." Aguirre was at the helm when defending champions Japan made a surprise quarter-final exit to the UAE in January's Asian Cup and was removed as boss the following month over fears a match-fixing case could affect their World Cup qualifying campaign. In December, Aguirre and 40 others were named in an alleged case of match-fixing involving a game between Real Zaragoza and Levante in Spain in the 2010-11 season. Zaragoza, then coached by Aguirre, won 2-1 at Levante on the final day to avoid relegation. Prosecutors allege that the Levante players were paid a total of 965,000 euros ($1.1 million) to deliberately lose the game. Aguirre, who has also coached Mexico at two World Cups, denies any wrongdoing. ($1 = 0.8791 euros) (Writing by Patrick Johnston in Singapore; Editing by Peter Rutherford)