It's costly to fire Camacho

The China Football Association (CFA) may face financial strain after China's heavy home defeat popped the question over whether head coach Jose Antonio Camacho should leave.

The national soccer team's embarrassing 1-5 loss to Thailand, which picked a second-string team, on Saturday in Hefei, Anhui province, sparked public anger and widespread questioning over the Spaniard's capability.

CFA is expected to pay a staggering 7.26 million euros, if it fires Camacho, who holds a three-year contract until August, 2014, according to Beijing News.

Camacho was offered a salary worth 2.8 million euros per year, while the rest of his coaching team share a salary of 1.5 million euros. Their Chinese employer also pays for the enormous income tax bills.

If the two sides part, CFA will have to write a pay check of about 5.01 million euros for the unfinished salary payment for Camacho and his team, as well as pay a 2.25-million-euro tax bill, making a total of 7.26 million euros.

Camacho, a former national coach of Spain, was hired in 2011 and tasked with taking China's national team to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

China has failed to qualify.