New Delhi: The Honduras Football Federation have been handed a one-match ban along with a fine by CONCACAF after a beer can struck Mexico’s coach Javier Aguirre on his head. Mexico had lost 2-0 to Honduras in Estadio Francisco Morazan during the first leg of the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final.
The continent’s football board also opened a separate investigation over Aguirre’s behaviour during the match in San Pedro Sula. CONCACAF have issued a statement about sanctioning the Honduran Football Federation for “failing to implement adequate stadium security” during the team’s match against Mexico.
😳🩸 After Mexico’s defeat to Honduras, coach Javier Aguirre was left covered in blood after a can was thrown at his head from the stands…
pic.twitter.com/rbp9vz3Kms
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) November 16, 2024
Further, the governing body noted that the evidence points to the Federation’s insufficiency in implementing the regulations. Hence, in lieu of the Disciplinary Code, the senior team’s next home game will be played behind closed doors. Honduras will next face Mexico on Tuesday, November 19th.
Javier Aguirre reacts to the can-throwing incident
Before the game, Aguirre was again questioned about the incident and events that led to his heckling, but the 65-year-old maintained his silence on the matter. Aguirre noted that the incident was in the past, and he had moved forward from the incident. Previously he had brushed off the incident as part and parcel of the game. Praising his country’s fans, he urged them not to create any unrest during the game.
The Mexican coach noted that the fans should support the team but stay within the laws of the game and respect the rival. Mexican defender Jesus Gallardo also addressed the press meeting and noted that the incident had made no difference to the game’s approach, and the team’s mentality remained the same.
Aguirre noted that along with the 30-year-old Gallardo, Mexico’s XI for tomorrow will see Alexis Vega and Cesar Montes in action. In the aggregate, Mexico are 2-0 behind Honduras and need to score twice to keep the competition alive. If the aggregate score remains level, the win will be decided on away goals. Extra time will be the next option to break the tiebreaker before resorting to penalties.
The winner will be moving to the semifinal for the next round. The winners of the quarterfinals will also have a place in 2025’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. The losers will feature in a pre-tournament competition to qualify for the same tournament.
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