Wanchope resigns after pitchside fight

Costa Rica coach Paulo Wanchope has resigned his post after being caught on camera fighting with a man following Tuesday’s Olympic qualifier against Panama.

The 39-year-old became embroiled in a scuffle with a man, seemingly over the refusal to allow Wanchope onto the field on play, with punches and kicks thrown by both.

The former striker was under pressure regardless after overseeing a quarter-final exit at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

And he has relinquished duties for the Under-23 side he had hoped to take to the Olympics as well as Costa Rica’s senior team.

A statement from the Federation of Costa Rican Football (FEDEFUTBOL) read: “After a cordial meeting, Paulo Cesar Wanchope… decided to step aside and leave the technical direction of the national team.

“Wanchope was grateful to be given the possibility to lead the Tricolor, while the Federation thanked him for his work and wished him success in his future projects.”

Wanchope was appointed Costa Rica coach in February, having initially replaced Jorge Luis Pinto on a temporary basis following 2014’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals.

After winning the Copa Centroamerica in his first handful of games in charge of the senior side, Wanchope was unable to maintain that momentum and departs on the back of a nine-game winless run.

Having opened their Rio 2016 qualifiers with Tuesday’s 0-0 draw, the Olympic side remain firmly in the hunt for a spot at next year’s Brazil tournament.