MEXICAN national team coach Miguel Herrera was fired Tuesday following a television reporter’s claim that the man known as “El Piojo” punched him.

    The ouster came just two days after Herrera led Mexico to victory in the Gold Cup. But Decio de Maria, who on Saturday becomes president of the Mexican Soccer Federation, said the incident with the journalist was not in keeping with “the spirit of fair and respectful competition” the organization espouses.

    “Our values, our principles, are above any result,” de Maria said at a news conference. “In our profession, our industry, the matches are never over, and as public figures who represent an institution we must be absolutely clear on that.”

    In a statement, Herrera apologized to his players, his staff, fans, the federation and the media for his conduct in “the painful incident I had with a commentator.”

    “It is clear to me that this is not the attitude that a coach for the Mexican national team should take, despite having received all manner of criticisms, offenses and mockery of my family and my person,” it said.

    He said he planned to spend time with family and rest.

    Herrera is the latest to depart from what has become a revolving-door job since Ricardo La Volpe of Argentina was the last to complete a four-year World Cup cycle as head of the team, known as “El Tri.” Mexico has burned through 10 head coaches in the nine years since La Volpe departed after the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

    De Maria did not announce a replacement for Herrera, who led Mexico to the round of 16 at last year’s World Cup.

    The incident involving the coach and Television Azteca’s Christian Martinoli took place Monday at Philadelphia’s airport as the team prepared to return to Mexico following its 3-1 victory over Jamaica in the championship match.

    Martinoli accused Herrera of hitting him in the neck and then threatening him.(SD-Agencies)