As the players and coaches were walking off the field Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio, following the 2-0 U.S. win over Mexico in a World Cup qualifier, American player Frankie Hejduk was confronted by Mexican assistant Paco Ramirez, who proceeded to slap him (video after the jump.). As Hejduk told the Washington Post:
“I was just trying to pump the crowd up [as he was leaving the field]. I was actually saying, ‘F*&% yeah!’ I think they thought I was saying, ‘F*&% you.’
It was a misunderstanding and I can see why they would be a little bit upset if they thought I was saying the other one, which I wasn’t. At the end of the day, no one was hurt. There was a little love tap and that was it. I still have my face. No damage done. It was fun. That’s just how emotional this game is and that’s how passionate they are about their sport. It was none of their players — I want to make that clear to everyone.”
Hat tip to Sports Rubbish.
on Feb 13th, 2009 at 9:47 PM
so was the coach taken to jail?
on Feb 13th, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Sore Losers!!!!!
on Feb 14th, 2009 at 8:33 AM
looks like a lingual-cultural misunderstanding that got “out of hand” (no pun intended but decided to emphasize it when it happened) just as Hejduk described it.
There are probably fewer Spanish speakers who understand the difference between f-you and f-yea that there are Americans who would know how to pronounce H-E-J-D-U-K if they didn’t hear it already. Hopefully our ignorance wouldn’t lead to slapping or other hasty reactions, but I would not bet it wouldn’t.
on Feb 14th, 2009 at 11:04 PM
I support the Mexican National Team…however, Paco Ramirez should be suspended. No coach should ever touch a player…especially one on the opposing team. It’s a disgrace to soccer in general. If FIFA doesn’t suspend him…it sends a message to all players and coaches…that this behavior is acceptable and condoned.