Mariano Torres, captain of Deportivo Saprissa, was involved in a heated exchange with Marcel Hernández, forward for Herediano, following their recent match. Tensions rose on the field and continued after the game, requiring intervention from players on both teams to prevent further escalation.
In statements to the press, Torres criticized Hernández: “When he has to show his face, he doesn’t. Cartago filed a complaint and left the president of Cartago alone because we did show up,” said Torres. The remarks referred to an incident in 2022 when Hernández played for Cartaginés and accused Torres of making a derogatory comment during a match. While a formal complaint was filed at that time, Hernández did not attend tribunal hearings related to the case.
The confrontation between Torres and Hernández resumed in the mixed zone where media interviews are conducted. Torres addressed Hernández directly: “Go show your face; if you talk, then show your face.” He also commented on his approach toward opponents: “He liked to smear me, have people believe lies he tells and I showed my face because he says things that aren’t true. Now he’s doing it again; he likes the show. It happened before but that’s over—we wanted to win and we’ll fight until the end to try to finish first.”
Asked about comments from Herediano players who considered his actions disrespectful towards Hernández and believed such matters should remain on the field, Torres responded: “Disrespect is what he (Marcel) does by trying to smear me—that’s disrespect. He made a complaint he couldn’t support. I’ve never come out saying anything about any rival.” He added there is no relationship between himself and Hernández: “I don’t have any reason for one; he plays for another team.”
Torres also addressed rumors suggesting he blocked Hernández’s potential move to Saprissa: “Why would I? I’m not responsible for signings—I’m just another player. I have nothing to do with it.”
Regarding why Keyner Brown of Herediano did not greet him before kickoff, Torres said: “I don’t know what’s wrong with him; if he doesn’t want to greet me, then don’t—it doesn’t bother me.”
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Saprissa and Herediano players as they compete in Costa Rica’s top football league.
