Chivas coach Garcia suspended for kicking Rodriguez

MEXICO CITY: Chivas coach Oscar Garcia has been handed a three-match suspension following an incident involving Club Leon forward and Colombian captain James Rodriguez, Mexico’s Liga MX disciplinary committee announced on Thursday.

The incident occurred during Chivas’ 2-1 loss to Leon on Tuesday. While retrieving a ball after a clearance, Garcia tossed it aside instead of handing it to Leon midfielder Nicolas Fonseca. Fonseca responded by pushing Garcia, sparking a heated brawl near the bench.

Instead of de-escalating the situation, Garcia approached the melee and kicked Rodriguez, prompting the referee to eject him from the match.

James Rodriguez, who recently joined Leon as a free agent after a stint with Rayo Vallecano, has quickly become a key player following his impressive performance in the Copa America, where Colombia finished runners-up to Argentina.

Garcia’s suspension means he will miss crucial upcoming fixtures for Chivas, adding pressure on the club amid a challenging season.(Reuters)