Panama appealing red card to Phillips

PANAMA CITY, Panama (AP) — Panama is appealing a red card given to Ricardo Phillips in Thursday's 1-1 draw against Mexico in the Gold Cup. The red card would keep him out of Sunday's Gold Cup match against Nicaragua. In a statement, Ariel Alvarado, president of the Panama Football Federation, said it would appeal to CONCACAF to lift the suspension. With about 10 minutes to play in the game in Houston, Mexico coach Javier Aguirre raised his leg and seemed to kick Phillips as he dribbled near the sideline. After a linesman stopped play, Phillips shoved Aguirre. Players converged in the area and several got into shoving matches. Referee Joel Aguilar ejected Aguirre and gave a red card to Phillips. "At the end of the day our player was expelled on a play that was over, and this is not correct," Alvarado said. "What Phillips did is almost a natural human reaction." Alvarado said Phillips had been provoked by Aguirre and should not be punished. Alvarado was also critical of Mexican fans at the match, who were among those who littered the field afterward with cups of beer and other objects and then accosted Phillips as he left the field. Aguirre apologized after the match for his conduct, reaching out to Panama officials as well as Mexican fans and team officials. In two Gold Cup matches, Panama lost 2-1 to Guadeloupe and drew 1-1 with Mexico.