Mexico FA issue apology to organising committee

The Mexican governing body contacted the the Milk Cup organisers yesterday afternoon after three of their players were sent off in the 2-1 defeat to Northern Ireland at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

Footage of Carlos Arreola’s crude kick on Dale Gorman received over one million views on the internet, as the incident went viral.

Northern Ireland’s Elite manager Stephen Craigan has called for Mexico to be barred from future Dale Farm Milk Cup tournaments.

A furious Craigan called for Mexico not to be invited to next year’s event.

“I have to be careful what I say, but I wouldn’t like to think Mexico will be back at the Milk Cup,” the former international defender blasted.

“The Milk Cup is about young players learning their game and expressing themselves, it’s not about the sort of violence we saw at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

“When the Milk Cup Committee invite teams over they trust that the players will behave themselves. When something like this happens, it’s not the organisers’ fault, it is well beyond their control. They can’t stop a player from kicking or punching.

“What they can control is the countries and the teams they bring to the Milk Cup. Sometimes things happen in football, but if you continually let people down and you continually act in that manner, you have to ask the question, ‘should they be here?’”

Arreola and Mexican goalkeeper Raul Gudino were both sent off in the 61st minute, along with Northern Ireland and Leeds United striker Robbie McDaid.

Kevin Gutierrez was also sent off in the 89th minute for kicking-out.

A second brawl ensued and referee Tim Marshall brought the game to an abrupt end.

The Dale Farm Milk Cup Committee condemned the disgraceful scenes.

Arreola and Gutierrez have both been banned for four Milk Cup games while goalkeeper Gudino and Ulsterman McDaid have received two-game bans.

That means none of the four players will participate in today’s Elite fixtures, but as it appears unlikely Mexico will return to the Milk Cup the additional ban is essentially meaningless.

The statement said: “The Mexican FA and Irish Football Association will be informed of the behaviour of their Under 20 teams in what turned out to be a poor advertisement for soccer.

“We would ask all teams to remember that they should be ambassadors for the game, their club and their country and appeal that they examine their behaviour and strive towards fulfilling the good intentions laid down in FIFA Fair Play.”

Northern Ireland will play Canada in the final Elite section fixture tonight (6pm) at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

If Craigan’s boys can avoid defeat they will win the prestigious youth tournament.