Spain’s national team manager, Luis de la Fuente, has strongly criticised the behaviour of Argentina’s players, describing their actions as “intolerable and unacceptable” following the brawl that erupted after the World Cup final. The contentious scenes, which marred Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory over the reigning champions, are now under investigation by FIFA, the sport's global governing body.
The post-match altercation saw several flashpoints, including Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes reportedly throttling Spain's Eric Garcia and throwing Gavi to the ground. La Roja captain Rodri was also said to have been struck in the stomach by Argentina defender Nahuel Molina as he ran past. De la Fuente, speaking to Spanish public broadcaster TVE on Thursday, expressed his dismay at the events, stating, “It cannot be allowed.” He added that while he was celebrating Spain’s dramatic win, secured by Ferran Torres’ late goal, he found the conduct of players of such calibre deeply concerning.
De la Fuente further elaborated on his disappointment, noting, “In any case, I find it intolerable and unacceptable from players of that caliber, whom I had been praising in the days before and who have a magnificent coach.” The Spanish boss also took the opportunity to commend his own squad for their measured response to the provocations. He highlighted their restraint, stating, “I want to highlight our behavior in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation. Our players always kept their composure and behaved like true professionals.”
Meanwhile, Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala issued an apology on Wednesday for his own involvement in a confrontation with Spain's Dani Olmo, clarifying that it was a shove rather than a punch. Interestingly, Gavi, one of the players directly involved, has expressed that he does not wish for Paredes to face a suspension for his part in the incident, particularly after it was confirmed that the midfielder was not shown a red card during the match, contrary to initial reports.
FIFA has confirmed that a disciplinary prosecutor has been appointed to investigate the matter. However, no timeline has been provided for the investigation, and it remains unclear when any potential bans for Argentina players would be implemented. Given that Argentina does not have competitive fixtures scheduled for the immediate future, the practical implications of any disciplinary action are currently uncertain.