CF Montreal fires coach for past comments suggesting Quebec premier be assassinated

The Canadian Press – CF Montreal president and chief executive officer Gabriel Gervais says he expected some backlash over the hiring of Sandro Grande as coach of its under-23 academy team.

Fifteen hours later, after widespread condemnation from politicians and fans alike, Grande was out and Gervais admitted the Major League Soccer club made a mistake.

Grande’s hiring came under immediate scrutiny after it was announced Monday over comments he made on social media in the wake of the 2012 Quebec election night shooting outside a Parti Québécois gathering with leader Pauline Marois.

A post from his Twitter account read: “The only mistake the shooter made last night was to miss his target!!! Marois!!! Next time buddy! Hopefully!”

“We were aware of these unacceptable actions,” Gervais said Tuesday. “What we saw in him are the good things he’s done over the last few years and the maturity he’s gained. We don’t want to trivialize what he said but we did have to acknowledge that he had made strides to better himself.”