Panama part ways with head coach Gallego

PANAMA CITY - The Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT) has rescinded the contract of national men's team manager Americo Gallego due to the financial impact of COVID-19.

In a statement, FEPAFUT said coaches at all national levels were laid off as part of efforts to cope with football's global shutdown.

"The negative impact of this situation is significant in all walks of life and FEPAFUT is no exception," the entity said in a statement. "That is why the executive committee has approved the termination of contracts for all national team coaches and their technical staff."

It added that Gallego, 64, was negotiating financial details of the contract cancellation.

Gallego took charge of Panama's national team last July - his first coaching job since parting ways with Newell's Old Boys in 2015.

A former midfielder, Gallego was capped 73 times for Argentina's national team and played at the World Cup in 1978 and 1982.

The North, Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) suspended all competitions on March 13 to counter the coronavirus pandemic.

Panama has had 3,751 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and reported 103 deaths.