The Argentine coach of the Guadalajara Chivas soccer club has been fired from his post after a female employee accused him of sexual harassment.

The employee, identified by local media as a podiatrist who has worked at the club for the past six years, has filed a complaint with the Jalisco Attorney General's Office against Ricardo La Volpe, who took over as team manager only 28 days prior to his dismissal.

In a press briefing Wednesday Chivas owner Jorge Vergara said the incident took place several days earlier but the victim was "obviously frightened" about telling her superiors.

Vergara did not go into detail about the accusations but labelled the incident "inappropriate behavior."

When confronted with the charge by Chivas sporting director Juan Manuel Herrera, La Volpe admitted his misdemeanor, Vergara told reporters.  "He offered his apologies but this matter is more serious than an apology."

Vergara said the players are "upset and indignant" about the coach's behavior.  "She is a very humble and educated person and the players are very respectful of her."

La Volpe, 62, coached the Chivas for just four games, with a record of one win, two losses and one tie. in his final game on Sunday, the team lost to Monterrey ensuring their absence from the end-of-season playoffs, which began Wednesday.  

La Volpe had briefly managed Chivas – Mexico's most popular professional soccer franchise – in 1989, and has been at the helm of top division clubs on 16 separate occasions.  He coached the Mexican national team from 2002 to 2006, leading "El Tri" to the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup. 

The Jalisco penal code does not consider sexual harassment to be a "grave" offense and La Volpe would be able to obtain bail were he arrested in relation to the accusations. Judges may impose sentences of between two and four years in prison for such offenses. In cases deemed to be sexual harassment, prosecutors will only initiate proceedings at the behest of the victims.