Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni left his post-match news conference in tears on Sunday after his team's World Cup final defeat to Spain, as the fallout from violent clashes on the pitch continued with Dani Olmo accusing assistant coach Roberto Ayala of lying.
Spain won 1-0 thanks to an extra-time goal from Ferran Torres, but their triumph was marred by ugly scenes after the full-time whistle in New Jersey. Argentina's Leandro Paredes kicked and punched as he shoved Eric Garcia to the ground and grappled with Gavi, while Nahuel Molina appeared to throw a punch at Rodri. Ayala was caught on camera putting his hand around Olmo's neck.
“Scaloni in tears, Olmo accuses Ayala of lying after violent World Cup final brawl.”
FIFA have appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the incidents, which could lead to suspensions and fines. Speaking to newspaper Diari de Terrassa, Olmo refused to accept Ayala's apology, accusing him of lying about what triggered the altercation. "Someone who says they're sorry, but justifies a punch by saying it was a response to a comment, is surely not sorry, because he is lying," Olmo said. "I didn't say anything to him, so he doesn't need to apologise."
Ayala had earlier expressed remorse, telling reporters: "Of course I'm sorry. Given my position, I cannot allow a feeling... to affect my mood or my actions. It was more of a shove than anything else, it wasn't a punch as they're making it out to be. It was a reaction to something he said." He added he would apologise in person.
Alan Shearer, speaking on the BBC, condemned the scenes: "There is no place or space for that. We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from..." Scaloni's emotional press conference, where he discussed his future, underscored the depth of disappointment after a defeat that saw Argentina's dreams shattered in such explosive fashion.