Gonzalo Jara was given a 2-year contract from Mainz in 2014, but his unsavory incident with Edinson Cavani at the Copa America could end his stay with the Bundesliga club.
Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel lashed out at Jara’s antics -- he jabbed his finger into the rear of Cavani’s shorts and then dove to the ground when the Uruguayan slapped him -- and said his club is ready to sell the defender.
[ MORE: The incident in question ]
Jara appeared in 17 games for Mainz last season after spending five seasons in England with West Bromwich Albion, Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion.
From Sky Sports:Mainz’ sporting director Christian Heidel told Bild: “We do not tolerate that. What makes me more angry than the prod, however, is what happens after. There is nothing I hate more than theatrics.
“He knows that if an offer comes in, he can go.”
Jara has previous history provoking players after appearing to grab Luis Suarez below the waist in 2013 and attempting to prod Gonzalo Higuain a year earlier.
So, to be clear, the dive is worse to Heidel than the, well, other thing.
While the condemning statement is laudable, it’s also worth noting that Jara was far from a force for Mainz, and this could simply be a quick and easy excuse for Heidel to put a player up for sale.
Either way, the fallout continues for Jara, who is expected to be suspended for the rest of the Copa America on his home soil.