Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala has claimed he didn't punch Spain's Dani Olmo in the melee following the World Cup final. The full-time whistle in New Jersey brought chaos onto the field on Sunday, with Spain's players targeted as they celebrated their 1-0 win over the South Americans.
Ugly scenes at MetLife Stadium
Ugly scenes played out at the MetLife Stadium, as Nahuel Molina struck Rodri in the stomach as he ran onto the pitch to embrace his team-mates. Footage also appeared to show former international Ayala throwing a punch in the direction of Barcelona star Olmo as the two clashed.
But he has now given his version of events to Esports Migdia on Valencia Capital Radio. "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," he said. "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."
Ayala's explanation
Ayala clarified the incident, saying: "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." He took full responsibility for his actions, adding: "It's a shame, and you have to accept the facts and the things you've done on the field. 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."
FIFA investigation
FIFA are now investigating the incident and released a statement on events, adding that a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor will probe potential breaches of its disciplinary code. FIFA confirmed: "Following an assessment of the relevant match reports for the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, and in line with article 36 of the FIFA disciplinary code (FDC), 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. Further details will be communicated by the FIFA disciplinary committee once the prosecutor's report has been completed."
