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.
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.
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.
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.
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