Thieves steal Mexican coach's gold medal

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- The coach of Mexico's youth football team said thieves broke into his house, held his family captive and stole his gold medal from the 2005 under-17 world championships.

Jesus Ramirez told TV station Televisa on Tuesday the four thieves also stole money, watches and cell phones. Ramirez was abroad during the alleged break-in, and said the assailants held his wife, mother-in-law and two household employees captive for more than an hour. No one was injured.

Ramirez led Mexico's under-17 team to victory at the 2005 world championships in Peru.

He also coached Mexico's senior team in 2008 during the start of World Cup qualifying, but was replaced by Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.