Liga MX Femenil: what about Craig Harrington, America and the allegations of violence

(Foto: Twitter/@_CHarrington_)

The match between América Femenil against scratched corresponding to Day 3 of Liga MX Femenil left a controversial moment starring the coach cream blue, Craig Harrington was sent off in the second half after insulting the Monterrey soccer players.

Despite the fact that the game was held last Monday, January 24, so far there have been different statements, messages from the fans and other positions from América Femenil that increased the controversy regarding the normalization of violence in women’s soccer and especially how the Coapa institution dealt with complaints of violence.

Near the 60th minute the Americanists committed an infraction in the limits with the technical area, consequently the whistle of the match marked a set piece in favor of the visiting club. While the squad scratched was organized to resume the game, coach Harrington was upset with the arbitration and offended Monterrey soccer players.

(Foto: Jeffrey Swinger/USA TODAY Sports)

Because the Americanist strategist does not speak Spanish, he addressed his rivals in English and attacked them. The event happened suddenly but Lizzet Amairany García, central judge of the commitment, was close to the event so she expelled him. Without the English coach, the Eagles they finished the game and fell with a score of 0 – 2.

Later in the press conference, Eva Espejo, technical director of scratched, spoke of the fact and publicly denounced the insults that his players received and demanded that the Liga BBVA MX take action on the matter, since the recent Mexican champion stated that “I will always defend my players.”

“Today my court mate committed some fouls. I will always defend my players, I hope that the Disciplinary (Commission) takes action on the matter about what he said […] I denounce it strongly, I will not allow anyone to be insulted under any circumstances, “he said.

Craig Harrington. Foto: Twitter @ClubAmerica

Different sports commentators took up the controversy, one of them was David Faitelson, who through his Twitter account wrote: “Serious accusations of Eva Espejo @EMaEsPin6, coach of scratched, about Englishman Craig Harrington, coach of América… “I insult my players,” said Espejo. Liga MX and the FMF must thoroughly investigate this event…”

Among the fans of the women’s league, sports analysts were accused of “revictimizing” Eva Espejo’s statements because they demanded proof of the insults Harrington made or the complaint of the Mexican technique was questioned.

The Liga MX Disciplinary Commission initiated an investigation folder against Harrington and decided to suspend the English coach for three games. Through an official statement from the commission, he argued:

“Inciting, provoking or disrespecting or insulting players or members of the Technical Staff of the opposing Club or of their own Club, 3 games of suspension”

*Developing information

---