Toronto FC, Club America fined by CONCACAF after Champions League altercation

MIAMI — Toronto FC and Club America were fined an undisclosed amount by CONCACAF on Friday for an ugly off-pitch incident in a Champions League semifinal earlier this week.

TFC’s 3-1 first-leg victory over Club America at BMO Field on Tuesday night was marred by a half-time altercation in the tunnel as the two teams left the field.

“The (disciplinary committee) determined that Toronto FC and Club America clearly infringed the Competition Regulations, specifically Art. 52 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code which covers team conduct,” said a statement from CONCACAF, soccer’s governing body in North and South America. “In levying the fines for general team misconduct during the halftime of Tuesday’s semifinal match in Toronto, the Committee expressed that it considers the clubs’ conduct unacceptable, as it departs from the principles of Fair Play.”

Club America coach Miguel Herrera alleged through a translator that two Toronto police officers were physical with three of his players. He added that two CONCACAF staff members witnessed the incident and was hopeful they’d report what they saw to the proper officials, though on Wednesday morning a spokeswoman for the police force said she had no records of the incident.

Herrera also criticized the officiating. He said referee Henry Bejarano came into the Mexican team’s dressing room before the game and told players to change their underwear.

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Toronto head coach Greg Vanney said the incident began when a Club America coach interacted with TFC star Sebastian Giovinco and Jonathan Osorio came to his teammate’s defence.

Osorio, a 25-year-old Toronto native, said a Club America coach elbowed him in the nose.

The Canadian Press