Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala has apologised after hitting Spain star Dani Olmo during the heated scenes that followed the World Cup final, saying he reacted to “something he said” after the final whistle.
Spain claimed their second World Cup title on Sunday in New Jersey after Ferran Torres scored the extra-time winner.
The celebrations quickly turned ugly as Argentina players lost their composure. Spain captain Rodri became involved in a heated exchange with Nicolas Otamendi, while Leandro Paredes was shown a red card after the final whistle for striking Gavi as the midfielder ran onto the pitch to celebrate with his teammates.
Ayala, the former Argentina defender who spent much of his club career in Spain, was also caught up in the chaos. The 53-year-old was seen walking up to Olmo and hitting him in the face, with the Barcelona midfielder choosing not to retaliate.
Speaking to Esports Migdia on Valencia Capital Radio, Ayala admitted he was wrong and said he hopes to apologise to Olmo in person if they meet.
“Obviously I’m sorry. Because of my position, I can’t allow a feeling, or what I might receive from the other party, to change my mood and my actions. I’m sorry, but for me, these are things that stay there and that’s it.
“For me, things need to be put behind us and left there. It was more of a push than anything else, it wasn’t a punch like they’re saying, and that’s it. It was a reaction to something he said, but that’s it. If I see him, I’ll obviously apologise to him in person.”
Ayala said he entered the pitch to calm down the situation but ended up getting involved himself.
“It’s a shame, and you have to accept the facts and the things you’ve done on the field,” Ayala said.
“When the game ends, what I see is a fight in the middle of the pitch, and we rush to go after our players, and it ends up like that because that’s not who we are.
“I take responsibility for what I did. My intention was to go and separate them, that was my intention, but sometimes things happen and emotions run high, but that’s no excuse. And given my position, my behaviour has to be different, regardless of what I receive.”
FIFA has confirmed it will investigate Argentina’s conduct after Sunday’s final. The governing body has already started disciplinary proceedings over the banner Argentina players displayed about the Falkland Islands following their semi-final victory over England.
