Arsenal legend Robert Pires was allegedly punched at half-time in the Indian Super League by an opposing manager, with the association set to launch an investigation.
The former midfielder currently plies his trade with FC Goa, with the incident understood to have happened during half-time of the ISL side’s 2-1 loss to Atletico Kolkata.
The man in question is former Bolivia national team manager Antonio Lopez Habas, who is thought to have confronted the 40-year-old ex-Gunner and physically attacked him after a confrontation at half-time.
Pires’ manager Zico made the claim public after Thursday’s match and backed the Frenchman’s statement:
Pires said he was punched in the face by the Atletico coach and it is very shameful. I don’t think that Pires would lie and say something that didn’t happen.
An ISL spokesperson later confirmed the matter is under investigation.
Pires has featured in an impressive three matches in eight days for Goa – not a bad effort for a 40-year-old in the heat of India. He kept himself fit while training with Gunners over the summer and seems to still have a bit of fight left in him – hope he gave Habas a good left hook!
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