Mexico National Coach Javier Aguirre spoke to media today and claimed his red card booking at the Mexico--Panama Gold Cup game did not happen as reported. In fact, it didn't happen at all. He left the field under his own protest and he expected to be reinstated shortly.

Hopscotch game interference

According to Aguirre it all started after Panama unexpectedly tied the game. The far less talented squad then decided to slow the game down to a crawl by questionable tactics such as: taking their shoes and socks off, shepherding stray dogs and cats onto the field, and hiding the ball under their jersies.

Because of this time-wasting, Mexican coaches became frustrated, and then worse, inebriated. On the sidelines two coaches chalked down a course and started up a hopscotch game. This attracted attention of the fans, many of the more drunk ones preferring it to the soccer game, and throwing beer, coins and batteries at any soccer players that ventured too close to the course.

Eventually Aguirre accepted a challenge from his assistant coach. It is well-known in Mexico Javier Aguirre is very good at the game and as a handicap always plays in his dress shoes. This game was no exception. But as he was leaping to #6 after straddling #4 and 5, his foot caught Phillips, a Panamian soccer player, in the nuts as Phillips passed by.

"I apologize. Not for kicking him in the balls, mind you,but for my coaches drawing the hopscotch course too close to the field."

Sadly, the hopscotch game was ruined as the marker was bounced off the course, and the line between the #7 box and the #8 box obliterated. Number 5 was left very faint. Aguirre's consecutive winning streak in Hopscotch was broken at 1037, as his foot landed outside the #6 box before the game could be forfeited. In a move he was later to regret Aguirre decided to leave the field, so disappointed he was having his streak broken. His streak covered many years, extending back to when he was 6 years old and playing for cigarettes at the Institute for Criminally Insane Children in Mexico City..

Aguirre suggests he handed the referee a menu for Red Dragon Chinese Food before leaving the field, as the referee had expressed an interest before the game on where would be a good place to eat in town, and it was this red menu that was mistaken as a 'red card' by various observers.

Regardless of this claim, Aguirre began a three-match suspension. The Mexican Football Federation was also fined US$25,000 for what the CONCACAF disciplinary committee considered "serious irresponsible schoolyard antics" by the national coaching staff.