During the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal first leg on Friday, Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre unfortunately faced an incident after his team's 2-0 defeat to Honduras. As Aguirre, made his way along the touchline to congratulate Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda, he was struck by a full can of beer thrown from the stands.
The impact caused a wound that resulted in bleeding; however, showing remarkable resilience, Aguirre continued with his post-match responsibilities, even taking the time to congratulate Rueda despite the unfortunate circumstances.
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Aguirre performed his post-match duties despite the injury
Following the intense situation, Aguirre took a moment to reflect on the incident during his post-match press conference, emphasizing the importance of addressing such matters constructively. Honduras defeated Mexico 2-0, with both goals being scored by L Palma.
"They deserved to win, they were better than us in areas," Aguirre said with a smile. "I've got nothing left but to congratulate them and to try to lift my team's spirit. As for the other thing, there's no point in even mentioning it because, well, it's football. I'm not one to complain." he said.
Statements from the Mexican Football Federation and CONCACAF
The Mexican Football Federation expressed its disapproval of the incident, calling it unacceptable and stressing that such behaviour has no place in our sport. They urged CONCACAF to take prompt and effective measures to tackle this issue. It asserted Football should be a celebration of unity and sportsmanship, not a source of conflict.
"This behaviour has no place in our sport. We demand that CONCACAF take immediate and decisive action to address this matter. Soccer should be a celebration, not a battleground." by the Mexican Football Federation.
CONCACAF has responded to the incident by denouncing the violent behaviour and committing to a thorough investigation, demonstrating its dedication to ensuring safety in the sport.
Honduras manager Reinaldo Rueda shared his disappointment regarding the incident, emphasizing that it overshadowed what should have been a celebratory evening for his team.
For Mexico's head coach, Javier Aguirre, this defeat presents an opportunity to reassess strategies after his recent appointment in July, following a challenging Copa América exit during Jaime Lozano's tenure.