OMNISPORT

Costa Rica coach Paulo Wanchope has resigned 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.

"Following a cordial meeting between Paulo Cesar Wanchope and federation executives Jorge Hidalgo and Rodolfo Villalobos, secretary general Rafael Vargas and the president of the national team commission Adrian Gutierrez, the coach decided to step asideand leave the technical direction of the national team," a statement from the Costa Rican federation read.

"Wanchope was thankful for the opportunity he had in front of the Tricolor, while the federation executives thanks his work and wished him well in his future endeavors."

The former striker was already under pressure after overseeing a quarterfinal exit at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. After taking over from Jorge Luis Pinto following the 2014 World Cup, Wanchope won the 2014 Copa Centroamericana, but struggled in 2015. The Ticos have failed to win this year with five draws and four defeats in their nine matches. 

Wanchope has also relinquished duties for the Under-23 side he had hoped to take to the Olympics.

The incident came just two weeks after Mexico boss Miguel Herrera was fired because of allegations that he punched a reporter in Philadelphia.