Mexico coach Miguel Herrera will learn whether he stays or goes on Tuesday following a reported airport scuffle with a TV Azteca reporter.
The Mexico Football Federation met on Tuesday to discuss Herrera's fate after the incident that allegedly took place at Philadelphia International Airport following El Tri's Gold Cup win over Jamaica. The news conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.
ESPN analyst John Sutcliffe on Tuesday afternoon tweeted that Herrera is out as coach.
Confirmado @MiguelHerreraDT ya dejo de ser técnico @miseleccionmx
- John Sutcliffe (@espnsutcliffe) July 28, 2015
Mexican television commentator Christian Martinoli on Monday accused Herrera of assaulting him in the TSA line at the airport, despite denials from airport officials that any such incident was captured on airport security cameras. Herrera had just led Mexico to a bittersweet Gold Cup victory that included a controversial 2-1 semifinal win over Panama.
TV Azteca on Monday night demanded an investigation, sending a statement to the FMF as well as outgoing FMF president Justino Compean and national teams chief Hector Gonzalez Inarritu:
"The behavior of the manager of the national team is strange to us and worries us enormously," the statement said. "The federation shouldn't allow attacks like that suffered by our partner Christian Martinoli at the hands of Mr. Herrera.
"Our country needs brave journalists, who are able to share their opinions and who enjoy the freedom of doing so without being attacked. Mexico needs more liberty, more public debate and less violence."
TV Azteca is owned by Grupo Salinas, which owns Liga Mx clubs Atlas and Morelia as well as the television broadcast rights in Mexico to El Tri, along with Televisa. Decio de Maria will take over the reins at the federation for Compean beginning on Aug. 1 as federation power shifts hands.
Philadelphia International Airport, via its official Twitter feed, say it did not have any knowledge of an incident in the TSA line involving Martinoli or Herrera.
@casjim_video @MiguelHerreraDT @martinolimx we do not have video footage of the alleged incident.
- PHLAirport (@PHLAirport) July 27, 2015
A fan submitted video of Herrera in the airport line on Tuesday.
Revive: Video muestra cómo Miguel Herrera encaró al conductor Christian Martinoli http://t.co/O5hcxGtlEg
- Sportscenter español (@SportsCenter_nt) July 28, 2015
The incident allegedly occurred the morning after Mexico beat Jamaica 3-1 on Sunday to win the Gold Cup at Lincoln Financial Field.
TV Azteca's Martinoli, who has been one of the strongest critics of Herrera, said the Mexico coach hit him in the neck with his fist before the two were separated by fellow commentator and former Mexico player Luis Garcia.
"I looked down to avoid any kind of provocation and suddenly feel a blow to the neck on the right side of my body. The next thing I see when I look up Luis Garcia is separating a madman who threw punches and kicks while I was insulted," said Martinoli, who added that he wasn't surprised by the emotional coach's reaction.
"Everyone will have his version of events and he probably will deny it, I have no doubt," Martinoli added.