Colombia's international footballers on friday urged coach Hernan Dario Gomez to reconsider his resignation tendered this week after assaulting a woman outside a bar.
In an open letter, the team members and backroom staff said that while abhorring the attack they wanted to back in an "unconditional way our friend, colleague and technical director".
Gomez resigned on Tuesday after publicly apologising when local press reported that he had hit out twice at a woman who had insulted him at the weekend.
"Following what happened on Saturday evening, which has left me feeling mortified, I would like to say publicly that I am profoundly sorry for having lost control in the way I did," Gomez said after offering his resignation.
"It shames me in front of my mother, my wife and every single woman in my family and in my country," he went on.
The Federation later announced that "an extraordinary meeting" would be held in the next week as they decide their next move, and that, "for the moment, the national team will not have a coach."
In their letter the players conceded that the coach had committed a "very serious error" but insisted that "he immediately admitted it, giving an example of his value and his love for Colombia and his family".
And they announced that they were ready to be "standard bearers for the cause of non-violence against women" and use the incident as an "opportunity to grow."
The players also called for the support of fans, sponsors and public opinion.
Gomez had been working as an observer for FIFA at the under 20 World Cup, which is currently being held in the South American country.
He led Colombia to the quarter finals of the recent Copa America, where they lost to Peru, and also took Ecuador to the World Cup finals for the first time in their history in 2.002.
In an open letter, the team members and backroom staff said that while abhorring the attack they wanted to back in an "unconditional way our friend, colleague and technical director".
Gomez resigned on Tuesday after publicly apologising when local press reported that he had hit out twice at a woman who had insulted him at the weekend.
"Following what happened on Saturday evening, which has left me feeling mortified, I would like to say publicly that I am profoundly sorry for having lost control in the way I did," Gomez said after offering his resignation.
"It shames me in front of my mother, my wife and every single woman in my family and in my country," he went on.
The Federation later announced that "an extraordinary meeting" would be held in the next week as they decide their next move, and that, "for the moment, the national team will not have a coach."
In their letter the players conceded that the coach had committed a "very serious error" but insisted that "he immediately admitted it, giving an example of his value and his love for Colombia and his family".
And they announced that they were ready to be "standard bearers for the cause of non-violence against women" and use the incident as an "opportunity to grow."
The players also called for the support of fans, sponsors and public opinion.
Gomez had been working as an observer for FIFA at the under 20 World Cup, which is currently being held in the South American country.
He led Colombia to the quarter finals of the recent Copa America, where they lost to Peru, and also took Ecuador to the World Cup finals for the first time in their history in 2.002.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for your visit, hope you enjoy the content, we expect to see you again soon.