PANAMA CITY, Panama, Aug. 12 (UPI) — Fans? Yes. Players? Possibly. But coaches? Never. Until Tuesday, when Costa Rica coach Paulo Wanchope got into a fistfight with a fan in the stands, while watching Costa Rica’s under-23 team in Panama.
Wanchope resigned Wednesday.
Wanchope tried to get onto the field through a gate in the stands, then pushes a young man before getting into a scuffle with another man. Police broke up the fight before it became too chaotic, but the damage was done and so would be Wanchope’s tenure.
“For the second time he had come to the door three or four times to complain and shout things to the fourth official,” Panama RPC journalist Alessandra Mezquita told La Nación. “When the referee blew the final whistle, Wanchope walks away, but returned and try to enter by force to the court and when you try to open the door, eager to enter, pushed the boy to safety, which reacts and beats. Wanchope is returned and there is where the fight is formed.”
The pre-Olympic match was a 0-0 draw. Wanchope played for many years in the English premier league, while starring for the national team as a forward.
“Responsible action requires that we compile as much information as possible so that we can have the best response,” The Costa Rica Football Federation said in a statement.
Wanchope netted 45 goals in his international career and played for Chicago Fire in 2007.
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