Paulo Wanchope quits role as Costa Rica national team coach after Panama fistfight

Costa Rica boss Paulo Wanchope resigned on Wednesday following brawl
Wanchope was filmed involved in a brawl during Olympic qualifying match
The scuffle came as Wanchope opened a gate to get down to a seated area
But a man pushed him from behind before Wanchope retaliated in anger

Reuters

Published:
19:55 GMT, 12 August 2015

|
Updated:
20:03 GMT, 12 August 2015

View
comments

Costa Rica coach Paulo Wanchope resigned on Wednesday after being involved in a brawl with an unidentified person during an Olympic qualifying match against Panama.

Wanchope, who was observing the match on Tuesday in Panama City between the respective countries’ Under-23 teams, was shown in video footage to retaliate after being pushed by the man.

‘After a cordial meeting between Paulo Cesar Wanchope and federation (officials), the trainer decided to take a step to one side and leave the position of coach of the national team,’ the Costa Rican Football Federation (Fedefutbol) said.

Costa Rica coach Paulo Wanchope resigned on Wednesday after being involved in a brawl in Panama

Wanchope was watching Costa Rica Under 23s take on Panama in an Olympic qualifying match

Former Premier League striker Wanchope was shown in video footage retaliating after being pushed by a man

It added in a statement that more details would be revealed at a news conference later on Wednesday.

It was not clear if the man, who was wearing a black shirt and was considerably shorter than Wanchope, was a member of the public or a steward.

Footage showed that, at the end of the game, Wanchope opened a gate leading down to the pitch and was pushed from behind by the man.

Costa Rica manager Wanchope was filmed fighting in the stands towards the end of an Under 23 game

Wanchope initially appeared to call down to members of pitchside staff, reportedly after being refused access

The Costa Rica manager opens the gate towards the pitch on Tuesday but is then shoved into a youngster

The former Manchester City striker lashed out and got involved in a brawl following the push

The security guard (partially obscured) appeared to aim a flying kick at Wanchope as things got heated

The pair wrestle in the stands as others watch on before more security pile in to break up the scuffle

Wanchope was shoved into a chair as he and the much smaller man scrapped in the stands on Tuesday

WANCHOPE’S CAREER IN ENGLAND

Paulo Wanchope moved to England as a £600,000 signing for Derby County, aged 20. He scored 23 goals in 72 Premier League games before moving to West Ham in a £3.5m deal two years later.

He managed 12 strikes in 35 league appearances for the Hammers but was sold on to Manchester City for a similar fee after 12 months.

Four years at City brought 27 goals in 64 games before he moved to Malaga.

Wanchope turned around and pushed him back.

The man kicked the coach in the thigh and then threw some punches at him, while Wanchope tried to wrestle him onto some plastic seats.

Several security guards then intervened to pull the men apart. The match ended 0-0.

Former Derby County, West Ham United, Manchester City and Malaga player Wanchope was named as Costa Rica coach in February.

He was previously assistant to Jorge Luis Pinto when Costa Rica reached the quarter-finals at the World Cup.