Mexican soccer coach Javier Aguirre was sent off in the team's 1-1 tie against Panama on Thursday night, for attempting to tackle a member of the Panamanian team.
In an ill-tempered Gold Cup game played in front of 47,000 in Houston, Texas, Aguirre unexplicably appeared to try to take the ball from Panamanian Ricardo Phillips as he ran down the sideline, provoking an ugly confrontation and red cards for both men.
Click here to view the incident.
In all, three players (as well as the coach) were ordered off the field during the game, incensing the mainly Mexican crowd who proceeded to throw objects onto the field of play.
CONCACAF have suspended Aguirre for the next three games and fined the Mexican soccer association 25,000 dollars.
The tie puts Mexico in second-place in Group C of the close season tournament, but raises more questions about the team's discipline and ability to reach the World Cup Finals in South Africa next year.
The draw leaves Mexico needing a point from their final group game against Guadeloupe to ensure qualification for the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup. Should they lose and Panama beat Nicaragua, Mexico could be on their way home.
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