Miguel Almiron’s international coach Eduardo Berizzo defended the winger after his horror challenge for Paraguay – insisting there was no malice in the tackle.
Almiron’s Newcastle United star Miguel Almiron sent off for Paraguay after horror challenge against Mexico sparked a melee with Mexico’s Miguel Layun, who was outraged by the tackle.
It was out of character from Almiron, who had only been on the field for seven minutes and had already set up a goal for Paraguay in what ended up as a 4-2 defeat. He left the Levi’s Stadium without speaking to waiting media and will head back to Newcastle today to begin work ahead of the Arsenal game.
Newcastle United star Miguel Almiron sent off for Paraguay after horror challenge against Mexico
But he was defended by his international manager who said he is an “honest and noble” player. “Miguel Almiron is an honest and noble player. The last thing that would’ve been in his mind was to hurt Vazquez,” he said.
The fall-out continued on social media as Layun apologised for his furious reaction, which sparked further clashes during the match and earned him a yellow card. He explained that he was angered because he felt Almiron was putting a fellow professional at risk.
“When I saw the kick, it bothered me because I thought he could injure him and that was what I asked Almiron. It was friendly and it was unnecessary to put a fellow professional at risk. But on the issue of pushing, etc defending a teammate did not have to end like that.”
He then apologised to his teammates and Paraguay. “I want to offer an apology to the companions of @Albirroja for what happened, because in my opinion it is not the right example for children and young people, including my (own) children.”
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