CHI - Cordoba punished after row

VALDIVIA (Dimayor) - Chilean basketball outfit Deportivo Valdivia have relegated head coach Juan Manuel Cordoba to their youth team.

Club president Carlos Kunstmann revealed there were "a number of situations" which led to his sacking, but that the final straw was Cordoba's row with star player Patrick Saez.

Cordoba criticised Saez for losing possession of the ball during the dying moments of Valdivia's 92-83 win over reigning champions Universidad Catolica.

The indignant guard took umbrage, pushed Cordoba and threw his instruction board to the floor as insults were exchanged.

Kunstmann has kept Cordoba on the payroll but has left the decision of whether or not to remain at Valdivia in the hands of the coach.

"Now, Manuel will have to evaluate whether he continues at the club or not," he said.

"We give value to his contribution at youth level."

Meanwhile, Valdivia have qualified for the Dimayor league play-offs following their weekend victory.

PA Sport