From the CONCACAF’s president’s mouth:

CONCACAF President Alfredo Hawit statement regarding the officiating of the Gold Cup 2015 semifinal match between Mexico and Panama:

“We met with both the Referee Department leadership and referee Mark Geiger. Mr. Geiger, one of the best regarded referees in the region with vast international experience and a proven track record, accepted that officiating errors had been made during Wednesday’s match and that these impacted the outcome of the game. We at CONCACAF regret these circumstances but accept that such human errors are part of the game.”

Luis Tejada’s elbow on Francisco Rodriguez did not merit an expulsion. At best a yellow. Panama played with 10 men from the 25th minute onwards. And that was no handball by Roman Torres which led to Mexico’s face saving penalty which denied Panama entry into the finals just minutes from the end. Panama have every right to feel aggrieved although they went overboard in the rage meter.

The Panamanian Football Federation was hit with undisclosed fines for the players conduct on and off the field which included calling CONCACAF “corruptos ladrones” or crooked thieves. Goalie Jaime Penedo was banned for two games along with striker Luis Tejada, who received a match ban for the elbow and an additional match for delaying his departure from the pitch. The USA’s Michael Bradley along with Mexican coach Miguel Herrera were also slapped with fines for infractions.