Frankie Hejduk Gets “A Little Love Tap”

February 12th, 2009 | by: Daryl | Comments(9)

Bit of drama in the tunnel following the USA’s 2-0 win over Mexico last night, with surfer-dude-haired US fullback Frankie Hejduk getting a bit of a slap from Mexico coach Paco Ramirez.

Hejduk kept his cool – as if he’s used to getting slapped every day of his life – and Mexico’s players (with a little help from security) were able to hold Ramirez back and calm everything down.

And Hejduk even had an explanation for what happened that should smooth over this international incident and avert the football version of WWIII:

Here’s what Hejduk told Steven Goff of Soccer Insider:

“I was just trying to pump the crowd up [as he was leaving the field]. I was actually saying, ‘F*&% yeah!’ I think they thought I was saying, ‘F*&% you.’ It was a misunderstanding and I can see why they would be a little bit upset if they thought I was saying the other one, which I wasn’t.

At the end of the day, no one was hurt. There was a little love tap and that was it. I still have my face. No damage done. It was fun. That’s just how emotional this game is and that’s how passionate they are about their sport. It was none of their players — I want to make that clear to everyone.”

Hejduk may not be the world’s greatest footballer, but he definitely gives awesome quote.

Here’s video of the incident:

This just adds another chapter to the USA vs Mexico rivalry, making the reverse fixture – August 12th, 2009 at the Azteca – all the more interesting. Circle that date in your diary.