Days after allegedly punching a journalist at the Philadelphia airport in the aftermath of his team’s Gold Cup title game victory over Jamaica, Mexico manager Miguel Herrera has been fired.
ESPN Deportes’ John Sutcliffe broke the news Tuesday morning on Twitter.
The report was later confirmed as the Mexican Federation board of governors voted to oust Herrera.
Herrera landed in hot water when news broke Monday that he physically assaulted Christian Martinoli of TV Azteca when the two ran into each other Monday at the Philly airport, according to a report from AS Mexico. The report claims Herrera punched Martinoli, who has been critical of El Tri’s performances in their run up to the Gold Cup, in the neck and then challenged him to a fight outside.
Incoming federation president Decio de Maria announced the firing in a statement on Tuesday.
"After listening to all my colleagues who are part of this federation, and reasoning I have made the decision to take Miguel Herrera out of the national team," said de Maria in a statement. "It is not a simple decision, but it is the correct one.
The reported dismissal caps a tumultuous Gold Cup that saw the Panamanian and Costa Rican federations petition CONCACAF to investigate officiating after a controversial semifinal match between Mexico and Panama. Mexico, who beat Jamaica 3-1 in the final, will face the US national team in a one-game playoff Oct. 9 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., for the right to play in the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia.
