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Paulo Wanchope: Ex-Manchester City striker filmed pushing ball-boy and punching security guard at Costa Rica vs Panama match

One chop and you're out!

Kiran Moodley
Wednesday 12 August 2015 13:52 BST
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He graced the field for Derby County, West Ham United and Manchester City; that mazey run for the Rams against United at Old Trafford a thing of beauty as well as Premier League folklore.

Now, in charge of his country Costa Rica, Paulo Wanchope is becoming better known for his right hook than his right foot after an altercation with a security official at a match against Panama.

The game was between the under 23 sides of each nation, with the match taking place in Panama City on Tuesday night as part of qualifying for the 2016 Olympics.

According to reports, the 39-year-old wanted to go onto the pitch to remonstrate with the referee about perceived bad calls. He was not allowed entry onto the field and the video shows him opening a gate to get onto the pitch and pushing a young steward out of his way. At this point, he turns back to punch a security official who then retaliates with an attempted flying kick and begins grappling with the former Premier League star.

The media in Panama said that the security guard had told Wanchope he could not enter and that is when the manager became visibly upset.

Wanchope is not the only Americas manager who is having trouble controlling his temper: Mexico's Miguel Herrera was sacked for allegedly attacking a journalist.

Wanchope's brother, Javier, a manager in Panama, told journalists that Paulo said "that security was bothering him. I believe that authorities from UNCAF have to calm things. Authorities came in yelling and weren't calming thing things down."

Wanchope has been manager of Costa Rica since 2014.

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