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Mexico manager Javier Aguirre was left bloodied after being hit by a beer can that cut his head following the country’s shock defeat to Honduras in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter-final.
The 65-year-old was hit on the head by a can, which appeared to have been thrown by a Honduras fan, as he headed to the away dugout to shake hands with his counterpart Reinaldo Rueda after the full-time match. whistle.
However, the Mexico manager was still able to attend his post-match press conference and used it to downplay the situation and put the focus back on the result.
“Nothing, nothing, it’s football, the game was clean, it was hard-fought, they deserved to win and all I can do is congratulate them. As for the other thing, I don’t think it’s important,” Aguirre told reporters after the match at the General Francisco Morazan Stadium in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
“This is football and there’s no point in talking about the other things because I’m not one to complain.”
“I’m sad about what ultimately happened. That can never happen again, here or in any other stadium in Honduras or any stadium in the world,” Honduras manager Rueda added.
“I’m sad because he’s human, because they strike the same way [Aguirre]they could have hit me. That is something that cannot happen. We send our apologies to Mexico, its people and Aguirre. The party is damaged, all the efforts of our players on the field are affected. It’s unfortunate that something like this happens.”
There is no room for this.
It’s a shame that a few will ruin it for the masses, but you have to make an example of these actions.
Honduras will face serious consequences. You have to stop this nonsense. We are better than this.
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) November 16, 2024
Concacaf has now launched a full investigation after releasing a statement condemning the incident.
“The safety of the teams and fans is a priority for Concacaf. This type of violent behavior has no place in football,” the governing body said.
“The incident will now be referred to Concacaf’s disciplinary committee for further investigation and investigation.”
Aguirre took charge of the Mexican national football team for a third time in July, replacing Jaime Lozano, who was fired after a disappointing exit in the Copa America group stages.
Honduras now travels to Mexico on Tuesday for the second leg.
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