Colombia head coach Hernán Darío Gómez resigns after punching woman
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Your support makes all the difference.Hernán Darío Gómez has stepped down from his role as boss of Colombian national team in the face of huge public pressure.
Gómez left his post after it was revealed he had punched a woman outside a bar in Bogotá in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Football fans, politicians and team sponsors all rounded on Gómez giving the manager no option but to relinquish his post.
The Colombian Football Federation (FCF) released a statement shortly after Gómez handed in his notice.
“After a profound period of personal reflection and searching for the best solution for the country, the national team, the football federation and our sponsors we were presented with Hernán Darío Gómez’s letter of resignation.
“The federation wishes to emphatically reiterate how we refuse to tolerate any act of violence inflicted by our representatives. While the acts of Hernán Darío Gómez are unacceptable we also understand that he needs our help to overcome his issues.”
Gómez’s second term as boss of Los Cafeteros comes to end shortly after guiding the team to the quarter-finals of the Copa America.
Among the first to react to Gómez’s resignation was politician Cristina Plazas Michelsen.
“Incidents like this show us we need to keep working on raising awareness of the issue in Colombia until we can finally live in society free of aggression towards women.”
Michelsen’s sentiments were hammered home by Mayor of Bogotá Clara López Obregón. Obregón referred to Gómez by his nickname of El Bolillo (The Truncheon).
“These actions are something that no human can accept, we need to summon a voice and say no Bolillo for women.”
Despite politicians rounding on Gómez it seems the coach’s card was finally marked when the FCF’s key sponsor spoke out to condemn his actions. Fernando Jaramillo of the brewery Bavaria spoke out on a national breakfast show.
“It’s not my place to dabble in the decisions of the football federation but a person who behaves like this clearly can’t carry on as the national team’s manager.”
The FCF have announced that no decision to appoint Gómez’s successor will be taken until the conclusion of the FIFA under-20 World Cup that is currently taking place in Colombia.
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