Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has slammed the behaviour of Argentina's players following their World Cup final victory. Spain needed extra time to claim a 1-0 win over Argentina at MetLife Stadium, with Ferran Torres scoring the winning goal in New Jersey.
Post-match chaos
After the final whistle, there were chaotic scenes as Leandro Paredes was sent off for kicking Spain defender Eric Garcia to the floor before grabbing the Barcelona centre-back around the neck. It was subsequently reported by the BBC that the red card to Paredes has been removed, and there will be no disciplinary action from FIFA.
Further controversy unfolded as Nahuel Molina seemed to take a swipe at Rodri, while Argentina coach Roberto Ayala reportedly threw a punch at Dani Olmo.
De la Fuente's reaction
De la Fuente has now addressed what happened following the final whistle. "At the time, I didn't realise it. I was celebrating, hugging team-mates," De la Fuente said in an interview with Spanish TV. "But in any case, it is intolerable, unacceptable, it cannot be allowed. Players of that stature, whom I praised in the days leading up to the match and continue to praise, who are great players with a tremendous coach, surely they must have felt just as bad as we did seeing those reactions."
"I want to highlight our behaviour in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation. Our players always kept their composure and behaved like true professionals."
FIFA investigation
FIFA have now released a statement confirming they will look into the post-match scenes. "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FDC with regard to the post-match incidents," a statement from FIFA read. "Further details will be communicated by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee once the prosecutor's report has been completed."
