Mexico boss Juan Carlos Osorio slams ‘disrespectful’ Uruguay defender Jose Maria Gimenez after bad-tempered Copa clash

Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio has blasted Uruguay defender Jose Maria Gimenez for allegedly insulting him during their Copa America Centenario Group C clash.

Mexico won 3-1 in a fiery encounter that saw both teams reduced to 10 men and tension boil over on several occasions.

Osorio says the incident happened at the end of the game, with the Atletico Madrid defender angry because the coach had instructed his players to target his weaker left foot.

Juan Carlos Osorio has blasted Uruguay’s Jose Maria Giminez for insulting him after the Copa America tie

The defender (right) felt his weaker foot had been unfairly targeted by the Mexican players during the match

The defender (right) felt his weaker foot had been unfairly targeted by the Mexican players during the match

‘I think it was very clear, no? After the game Mister Gimenez came, insulted me, and went,’ said an angry Osorio.

‘He behaved badly and disrespectfully towards me. It’s inappropriate for a professional that doesn’t just play for one of the best clubs in the world, Atletico Madrid, but also one of the best national teams. This should not be accepted in professional football.

‘Any coach has the right to direct the play at the weaker foot of any player.’ 

Osorio was insistent that it was a reasonable tactic to target Giminez, one that any other manager would use

Osorio was insistent that it was a reasonable tactic to target Giminez, one that any other manager would use

A hot-blooded encounter saw both teams have a player sent off in a fiesty game that finished 3-1 to Mexico

A hot-blooded encounter saw both teams have a player sent off in a fiesty game that finished 3-1 to Mexico

MEXICO’S COPA AMERICA FIXTURES 

June 10 – Jamaica (3am BST)

June 14 – Venezuela (1am BST) 

Matias Vecino and Andres Guardado were both sent off in the game itself, which saw Mexico dominate the first half, taking the lead through an Alvaro Pereira own goal, but 10-man Uruguay fight back in the second.

Strangely after Mexico had Guardado, their best player, dismissed, their performance picked up again and they ended up winning thanks to Rafa Marquez and Hector Herrera strikes.

Gimenez’s alleged insult wasn’t the only controversy of the game, with farcical scenes at the start when Chile’s national anthem was played instead of Uruguay’s, much to the chagrin of fans and players alike.

Mexico had Andres Guardado, their best player to that point, sent off, but improved after the dismissal

Mexico had Andres Guardado, their best player to that point, sent off, but improved after the dismissal



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