Renato Ibarra: I was thrown out of Copa America | OneFootball

Things have gone from bad to worse in the Ecuadorian national team camp.

After defeats at the hands of Uruguay and Chile, Club America and Ecuador winger Renato Ibarra has claimed manager Hernán Darío ‘Bolillo’ Gómez kicked him off the squad.

Prior to their match against Chile, Ibarra informed ‘Bolillo’ that he felt pain in his ankle. After medical tests ruled out any significant damage and it had been announced that the 28-year-old had left the team.

However, that doesn’t appear to be the case. In an interview with Ecuador’s Radio Cobertura, Ibarra gave his side of the story.

“I did not leave the national team, he threw me out,” Ibarra said.

“He came to my room, he told me he was upset with my attitude, and he told me I was not going to continue playing in Copa America.”

Ibarra also expressed his doubts over ever coming back into the Ecuador squad if ‘Bolillo’ remains in charge.

“If he remains in command, it would be difficult for me to return to the National Team.

“I do not like controversies and this is the first time this has happened to me. With Reinaldo Rueda and Gustavo Quinteros, this never happened.”

Ibarra was on the bench for both Uruguay and Chile but failed to make it onto the pitch. Ecuador face Japan in their final group stage match on Monday night, needing a win to advance to the quarter-finals.