Cesar Pagani Threatened to Kill Cristian Neira with a Gun over Playing Time

Cristian Neira, the manager of Escuela Presidente Roca in Argentina, has left his post after one of his own players pulled a gun on him.

As the Associated Press reported (h/t ESPN), midfielder Cesar Pagani is said to have brandished the weapon at the coach on Thursday and made demands to be included in the starting lineup for their next match.

"The coach quit," said Emeterio Farias, president of the Cordoba Football League, to Radio Suquia. "The player threatened him with a gun during training. There's another kid who is playing [in the starting lineup], and the coach thinks he is better, and he has the right to decide who plays."

Afterward, Neira said, "I've been involved with the club for more than 45 years, and nothing like this has ever happened," per EFE (h/t AS).

Global Deportivo shared an image of the Escuela player on Twitter:

"

César Pagani, jugador de Escuela Presidente Roca (Federal C), enojado por no ser titular, ingresó con un revólver a la práctica y amenazó de muerte al entrenador del club cordobés Cristian Neira. pic.twitter.com/qVeQgJ5bxF

— Global Deportivo (@GloDeportivo) February 2, 2018"

According to the initial report, Neira was too afraid to press charges against Pagani, although Farias has said he is keen to get the police involved.

Authorities have been stationed at the club's training ground since the confrontation. Additionally, according to Farias, in the past Pagani has sent somebody to threaten another squad member; Farias said he wasn't sure if Pagani had a criminal record.

Escuela currently play in the Torneo Federal C in the Cordoba region.