Herrera accuses Toronto police of assaulting Club America players

TORONTO - Miguel Herrera was his usual outspoken self Tuesday in the wake of Club America's 3-1 defeat at Toronto FC, but his latest outburst, if uncorroborated by CONCACAF staff, could land him in hot water.

The 50-year-old accused three Toronto police officers of assaulting his players during a half-time skirmish in the tunnel, although his account differs from his counterpart from the other dugout, Greg Vanney.

"Multiple players were involved in a brawl and then the police hit them, including goalkeeper (Agustin) Marchesin, Bruno (Valdez)" Herrera said through a translator in the post-match press conference. "If police are going to be present in the tunnel it should be to separate players, not to hit players."

Herrera revealed CONCACAF personnel were present at the incident and he hopes it will be written up in the referee and CONCACAF staff reports.

Herrera clarified his comments and denied he was trying to distract the Mexican press from his team's Champions League first-leg defeat, then added: "I was really surprised that the police actually behaved like this in such a beautiful city."

Vanney had a different version of events and strongly disagreed with Herrera's account.

"One of their coaches (who) took exception to, I think, the PK, was having a go at Sebastian (Giovinco)," Vanney said. "And Sebastian kept walking. (Jonathan Osorio) stepped in between the assistant coach and Sebastian."

Vanney said he told rival coaches they shouldn't be talking to his players. He then claimed Osorio was elbowed in the nose by a Club America coach, and invited reporters to take a picture of the midfielder's resulting injury.

Herrera wasn't restrained in his assessment of referee Henry Bejarano and his team, alleging the officials unsettled his side by making them change their kit, and singled out Jozy Altidore as a player who committed "eight or nine fouls" without receiving a yellow card.

"(The match officials) influenced the game from the beginning when they came into the locker room to check the players. They said that they had to change the color of their underpants because it was black," Herrera said, noting the referee and his assistants' performances fell below the standard expected in a semifinal.

He continued: "I hope for the second game the referee won't call those doubtful plays and he will be a little more impartial."