adminPlayers clashed and items were thrown from the stands as Mexico won a controversial Gold Cup semi-final against Panama to set up a match with surprise finalists Jamaica. Mexico came from behind courtesy of two penalties — late in normal time and extra time — to win 2-1 in Atlanta. Panama’s Luis Tejada was sent off in the first half.
At the end of the match, Panama players charged at the officials, who were escorted from the pitch by security.
Mexico will win a seventh Gold Cup if they beat first-time finalists Jamaica at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.
Already the underdogs, world number 62 side Panama’s task was made even harder when forward Tejada was dismissed for a reckless tackle on Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez in the 25th minute.
The Panama players surrounded American referee Mark Geiger in protest.
At the end of the match, further objects were thrown from the stands as the Panama players confronted the referee, who was led off by security.
After the game, the Panama players posed in the changing room with a banner that read “Concacaf thieves. Corrupt, corrupt, corrupt”. — BBC Sport
Online Reporter