Canada treated like second class citizens at Copa America – Jesse Marsch

Canada coach Jesse Marsch has criticised the treatment of the North American team during the Copa America, saying his team were treated like second-class citizens.

Debutants Canada were issued a total of 14 yellow cards during the competition, including one for Marsch during their 2-0 semi-final defeat to Argentina on Tuesday.

“The number of yellow cards per offense is much higher for every CONCACAF team,” Marsh told reporters in North Carolina on Friday ahead of Saturday’s third-place play-off match against Uruguay.

“Of course we don’t want to put the families of players in danger. But I know that if our team reacted in this way, there would be severe sanctions,” Marsch said of the incident.

“Our players have been headbutted, our players have been subjected to racist abuse, live and on social media… We have been treated like second-class citizens.”

Marsch complimented his players for focusing so well throughout the tournament.

“They never swore at referees, and never rolled around on the ground like children looking for penalties and yellow cards from the referees,” said Marsch.

“We are going to play another tough match against a very good opponent and we know that a lot can go against us.”

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