Television commentator accuses Mexico manager Miguel Herrera of assault

Mexico manager Miguel Herrera is being accused of literally hitting back at his critics.

Television commentator Christian Martinoli of Azteca alleges that he was assaulted by Herrera on Monday morning at Philadelphia International Airport as Mexico was preparing to return home after defeating Jamaica 3-1 in the final of the Gold Cup.

Martinoli - who has criticised Herrera in the past - claims that he was hit in the neck before being separated by player-turned-commentator Luis Garcia.

"I looked down to avoid any kind of provocation and suddenly feel a blow to the neck on the right side of my body," Martinoli said, according to ESPN FC. "The next thing I see when I look up Luis Garcia is separating a madman who threw punches and kicks while I was insulted.

"Everyone will have his version of events and he probably will deny it, I have no doubt."

Here's a photo that Azteca published in which Herrera can be seen standing alongside Martinoli, who is holding up his hands, at the airport:

It turns out that Martinoli was right when he said Herrera would deny the assault, as Alejandro Villalvazo - who also works for Azteca - took to Twitter to report that the manager told his network: "Yes I argued with him, but I didn't hit him. I'm not that stupid."

Video of the incident from Televisa shows Martinoli being hit by a woman who Herrera refers to as "hija," which translates to "daughter." However, the clip fails to show any instance in which Herrera himself assaults the television commentator.

Azteca published a written statement via Twitter on Monday night that was written to the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol (FMF) and which protests Herrera's alleged aggression.

The FMF will reportedly meet with Herrera to discuss the incident on Tuesday amid speculation that he may have managed his last match for Mexico.