Mexico national team manager Javier Aguirre was hit in the head with a beer can following the team’s 2-0 loss to Honduras in the first leg of a League quarter-final of CONCACAF Nations.
Aguirre, 65, approached Honduras manager Reinaldo Rueda for a post-match handshake.
Here is the video. Beautiful evening for Honduras spoiled – once again – by the bad behavior of the supporters.
We’re too used to fans throwing things away. It shouldn’t change the culture, but here is a wake-up call.https://t.co/2eiXvBN168
– Jon Arnold (@ArnoldcommaJon) November 16, 2024
“Nothing, nothing, it’s football,” Aguirre said of the hit he took with a beer can that ended up bloody.
“They deserved to win, they were better than us in areas, I just have to congratulate them, well, try to boost the morale of my team. The other thing, there’s no point in mention it because hey, it’s football, I’m not the type to complain.”
Rueda said of what happened: “I’m sad about what happened in the end. It really can never happen again, here or in any other stadium in Honduras or in any stadium in the world.
“I’m sad because he’s a human being, because just like they hit (Aguirre), they could have hit me. This is something that can’t happen, we apologize to Mexico, to its people and Aguirre The party is damaged, all the efforts made by our players on the field are tarnished. Such a situation is regrettable.
The Mexican soccer federation condemned the actions in a statement released after the match.
“The FMF unequivocally condemns the acts of violence that occurred this evening at the Francisco Morazán Stadium in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Such behavior has no place in our sport.
“We demand that CONCACAF take immediate and decisive action to resolve this issue in accordance with its regulations. Football should be a celebration, not a battlefield. We urge all parties, including institutions, managers, players , fans and media, to work together to create a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved.
CONCACAF opened an investigation and referred the incident to the CONCACAF Disciplinary Committee for further review.
After losing the first leg, Mexico must score at least twice in Tuesday’s second leg at home to have a chance of advancing to the semifinals in March. The Nations League uses away goals as a tiebreaker at this stage of the competition.
