Gun-wielding Gutiérrez slung out of Racing squad

Controversial Colombian striker Teófilo Gutiérrez, who allegedly threatened his teammates with a paintball gun after being sent off in Saturday's 4-1 derby defeat against Independiente, will no longer play for Racing, according to club's president Gastón Cogorno.

"Teo will no longer be part of the professional squad," club president Gastón Cogorno told reporters.

Coach Alfio Basile, who has had two spells as Argentina coach, resigned after the derby defeat which left Racing five from bottom of the Clausura Tournament's standings with only 9 points in 10 games. They are 11 points behind joint leaders Boca Juniors and Newell's Old Boys.

Local media reported fighting in the Racing dressing-room as teammates turned on Gutiérrez after a senseless red card for insulting the referee left them with nine men for the final 21 minutes. The striker then allegedly threatened them with a paintball gun.

"We will seek a mutual way out but he [Gutiérrez] won't play for Racing again," Cogorno said of the 26-year-old attacker who has been sent off four times since joining the club from Turkish team Trabzonspor in February 2011.

"I haven't talked to Teo, but I did with his agent and the investment group that brought him (to Racing) to explain to them why he won't play for the club any more.

"People are tired of Teo's attitude", Cogorno concluded.

Gutiérrez irritated teammates last year by returning late from international duty with Colombia's national team. He was still put in the starting line-up by then coach Diego Simeone to face key match against Boca Juniors, but the striker just stepped on the field to get himself sent off for pushing the referee for not awarding him an alleged penalty.

The talented striker was joint top scorer of last year's Clausura Tournament with 11 goals. He has only netted nine this season, six in the Apertura and three in the current Clausura.

Racing have appointed 31-year-old Luis Zubeldia, who has impressed at Lanás and Ecuador's Barcelona de Guayaquil in his short coaching career, as Basile's replacement.

"I feel privileged as all coaches want to train a big club," Zubeldia told Racing TV. Seven-times league champions, and World Champions in 1967, Racing Club are one of Argentina's so-called Big Five teams.

At his presentation news conference, Zubeldia refused to be drawn on Gutiérrez's case.