Mexico national team manager Javier Aguirre was left with a bloodied head after being hit by a can thrown from the crowd during their Concacaf Nations League game with Honduras.
Aguirre could be seen walking across the pitch in San Pedro Sula with blood pouring down his face following his side’s 2-0 defeat.
The 65-year-old was quickly tended to by his support staff while a line of security holding up riot shields surrounded him as litter thrown from the stands was strewn about their feet.
El Mister has spoken pic.twitter.com/4Boq7nJyXQ
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) November 16, 2024
The Mexico boss played down the incident, saying it was not worth talking about.
“They [Honduras] deserved to win, they were better than us in areas,” said Aguirre.
“I’ve got nothing left but to congratulate them, and well, to try to lift my team’s spirit.
“The other thing, there’s no point in even mentioning it because well it’s football, I’m not one to complain.”
The Mexican football federation condemned the behaviour, saying in a statement that it had “no place in our sport”.
The statement added: “We demand that Concacaf takes immediate and decisive action to address this matter.
“Soccer should be a celebration, not a battleground.”
Concacaf echoed the sentiment and confirmed the incident will be referred to its disciplinary committee.
“The security of the teams and fans is a priority for Concacaf. These types of violent behaviors have no place in football.”
Mexico will be hoping to overcome the 2-0 deficit on Tuesday when they again meet Honduras in the return leg with a place in the Nations League semi-finals next year up for grabs.