Colombian national football team coach resigns after assaulting woman

[News_Editor]

Colombian national football team coach resigns after assaulting woman

2011-08-10 07:25:22 GMT+7 (ICT)

BOGOTÁ (BNO NEWS) -- The coach of the Colombian national football team, Hernán Darío Gómez, resigned on Tuesday after he allegedly assaulted a woman last weekend, the local newspaper El Tiempo reported.

According to eyewitnesses, Gómez, who is also known as "Bolillo," went to a local bar known as "El Bembe" on Saturday evening while he was accompanied by a woman. At 1.30 a.m. local time, as they were leaving the bar, Gómez allegedly started arguing with his female companion and hit her at least four times.

The assault was then anonymously reported to the Colombia radio station "La W Radio," after which rumors about the incident quickly spread. Gómez was strongly criticized for allegedly hitting a woman.

El Tiempo reported that pressure exerted by the Bavaria brewery, which is the most important sponsor for the Colombian national football team, was one of the main factors for Gómez' resignation.

Hours after resigning, Gómez was sued for injuries he allegedly caused. Lawyer Carlos José Castro filed the lawsuit against Gómez, protected under a new law which says that the alleged victim does not need to report the crime herself to start judicial action against the aggressor.

Speaking to El Tiempo, Gómez admitted that he had made a mistake which caused him family and professional problems and ultimately led him to resign his position in the Colombian national football team. He also said he was willing to get professional help.

Gómez started as Colombia's coach in April 2010 with the promise he would take Colombia's team to the World Cup. The Colombian national football team has not participated in the World Cup since 1998.

The Colombian Football Federation has not yet named a successor for Gomez but Gerardo 'Tata' Martino and Leonel Álvarez have been mentioned as possible replacements. Martino just resigned as the coach for Paraguay's national team after achieving second place in the Copa America championship and Leonel Álvarez is the current technical assistant for the Colombian national football team.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-08-10

[maidu]

Interesting that any citizen can file a criminal complaint in such matters. Similar in the US, but no such provision in Thailand, as far as I know.

Indeed, if the ugly incident happened in Thailand, there would be denial, denial, find a scapegoat, and more denial. If it was a Thai bureaucrat or official, the worst that would happen is; he'd get assigned to the Dept. of Inactive Posts with full pay and a big stack of crossword puzzle mags.