TV Azteca Deportes
Mexico manager Javier Aguirre was left bloodied after being hit by a beer can which cut his head following the country’s shock defeat to Honduras in the first leg of their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final.
The 65-year-old was struck on the top of his head from a can, which appeared to be thrown by a Honduras fan, as he made his way to the away dugout to shake hands with his counterpart Reinaldo Rueda after the full-time whistle.
However, the Mexico manager was still able to attend his press conference after the game and used it to play down the situation and direct focus back on the result.
“Nothing, nothing, it’s soccer, the game was clean, it was hard-fought, they deserved to win and all I can do is congratulate them. About 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 mentioning the other stuff because I’m not one to complain.”
“I’m sad about what happened at the end. That truly can’t ever 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 a human being, because just like they hit [Aguirre], they could’ve hit me. That’s something that can’t happen, we send our apologies to Mexico, its people and Aguirre. The party gets damaged, all the efforts our players made on the pitch get tarnished. Something like this happening is regrettable.”
There is no place for this.
It’s a shame a few will ruin it for the masses but you need to make an example of these actions.
Honduras should face severe consequences. You have to make this shit stop. We are better than this.
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) November 16, 2024
Concacaf have now launched a full investigation after releasing a statement condemning the incident.
“The security of the teams and fans is a priority for Concacaf. These types of violent behaviors have no place in football,” the governing body said.
“The incident will now be referred to the Concacaf Disciplinary Committee for further review and investigation.”
Aguirre took charge of Mexico’s national soccer team for a third time in July, replacing Jaime Lozano who was sacked after a disappointing Copa America group-stage exit.
Honduras will now travel to Mexico for the second leg on Tuesday.
