Dani Olmo has dismissed Roberto Ayala's apology after their altercation in the wake of the World Cup final and accused the Argentina coach of 'lying' with his version of events.
What happened after the final whistle
Ferran Torres' emphatic extra-time strike proved the difference as Spain overcame Argentina's gamesmanship and questionable tactics to win the World Cup for a second time. However, violent clashes between the two sets of players threatened to overshadow Spain's celebrations. Leandro Paredes was pictured shoving and kicking Gavi and Eric Garcia. In a separate skirmish, Lionel Scaloni's assistant Ayala raised his hands and seemingly punched Olmo in the neck area, sending the Barcelona star backwards. Olmo showed restraint and was shepherded away by Luis de la Fuente.
Ayala's apology and version
Three days after the final, Ayala apologised 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. I'm sorry, but for me, these are things that stay there and that's it,' he said. 'It was more of a push than anything else, it wasn't a punch like they're saying. It was a reaction to something he said.' He insisted he entered the pitch to calm his players: 'It's a shame, and you have to accept the facts. 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.'
Olmo's response
Speaking to Diari de Terrassa, Olmo contested Ayala's claims, stressing he never said anything to provoke him. 'Someone who confesses to being sorry, but justifies a punch by claiming it was a response to something said, is surely not sorry, because he's lying. I didn't say anything to him, so I don't need him to apologise. What truly defines us isn't the mistake itself, but the courage to accept it with humility, honesty, and dignity.'
'When my children, my family, and so many fans watch the game, I want them to be proud of how we competed, how we won, and above all, our behaviour. The importance of football means that we players are role models for children and future generations, and that carries a huge responsibility.' Olmo added: 'Thank God, what's really important is that we've experienced an incredible World Cup, that the world has seen it, and that we are world champions after a lot of hard work.'
FIFA investigation
FIFA have confirmed there will be an investigation into Argentina's conduct after the final at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.
