Beer bottle thrown at head of head coach

In the first leg of the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals, Honduras defeated Mexico 2-0 at home. However, an unfortunate incident at the end of the match has become a major talking point in the football world.

As Mexico national team head coach Javier Aguirre walked over to congratulate Honduras head coach Reinaldo Rueda at the end of the match, he was injured after a full beer bottle thrown from the stands struck him in the head. The 65-year-old coach, whose face was left bloodied following the incident, stated the following at the press conference:

“They deserved to win, they played better than us. There is nothing to do but congratulate them. Now we will try to lift the team's spirits. There is no need to talk about the other incident, because this is football. I am not someone who complains.”

The Mexican Football Federation reacted strongly to the incident, issuing the following statement:

“A behavior that has no place in our sport... We demand that CONCACAF act immediately and decisively regarding this matter. Football should be a place for celebration, not a battlefield.”

STATEMENT FROM CONCACAF  

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) condemned the events and announced that an investigation has been launched. The statement said, “The safety of teams and fans is a priority for CONCACAF. Such violent behavior has no place in football.”

RUEDA CONDEMNED THE INCIDENT 

Honduras head coach Reinaldo Rueda also expressed his sadness regarding the incident, stating, “He is a human being too. Violence against a head coach is unacceptable.”

The return leg between Honduras and Mexico will be played in Mexico on November 20. The winner of this match will earn the right to participate in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

News Source: 12punto