Spain coach criticises Argentina’s ‘intolerable’ World Cup final conduct
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has voiced strong disapproval regarding the behaviour of Argentina players following the recent World Cup final. De la Fuente described the incidents as “intolerable and unacceptable” during an interview with Spanish public broadcaster TVE.
The comments come as FIFA has initiated a disciplinary investigation into the conduct of Argentina’s players. The world football governing body asked one of its disciplinary prosecutors on Monday to report on the confrontations that occurred after Spain secured a 1-0 victory in extra time on Sunday, dethroning the defending champions.
Incidents on the Pitch
During the post-match celebrations, several Argentina players were involved in confrontations. Nahuel Molina reportedly attacked Rodri, while Leandro Paredes clashed with Eric García and also confronted Gavi at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Rodri, Spain‘s captain, was reportedly hit in the stomach as he passed Molina.
De la Fuente stated that he did not witness these specific incidents in real-time as he was celebrating with his team. However, upon reflection, he found the actions of players of such calibre to be unacceptable. He had previously praised these players in the days leading up to the match and continues to acknowledge their talent and the quality of their coach.
The Spain coach highlighted the exemplary conduct of his own players in the face of what he termed “acts of aggression” and “provocations.” He believes that these actions could have escalated into more serious situations, but his squad maintained their composure and professionalism throughout.
FIFA Investigation Underway
Although the scenes were widely documented and shared across social media platforms, no sanctions have yet been imposed on the Argentina players. FIFA‘s investigation aims to determine if there were any violations of its disciplinary code.
FIFA‘s disciplinary rules permit a special prosecutor to request the opening of disciplinary proceedings and propose disciplinary measures against member associations, clubs, and individuals. The organisation has not specified a timeline for these cases, and it remains unclear when any potential bans for Argentina players would be enforced, especially since the team does not have competitive fixtures scheduled in the immediate future.
Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala issued an apology on Wednesday for his own confrontation with Dani Olmo, describing it as a shove rather than a punch. Despite the tensions, the Spain squad formed a guard of honour for the Argentina players as they walked to the podium to receive their medals from US President Donald Trump. However, minutes later, when Rodri lifted the trophy, most of the Argentina squad reportedly turned their backs on the ceremonial moment.
De la Fuente Reflects on Tournament Success
In his interview, Luis de la Fuente also reflected on Spain‘s journey to winning the World Cup. He praised certain players and emphasised the significant challenges faced by the team beyond their opponents.
He noted the extensive travel, humidity, and limited rest as factors the team had to overcome. De la Fuente specifically lauded Rodri, the tournament’s Golden Ball winner, stating that to question the Manchester City midfielder’s ability was an “insult to footballing intelligence.” He also mentioned that the tournament helped young star Lamine Yamal mature, particularly in his commitment to the team.
Looking ahead, de la Fuente expressed that leading Spain at the 2030 World Cup would be a great source of pride for any coach. However, he stressed that his immediate focus is on Spain‘s upcoming fixtures in September and October. He concluded by thanking the supporters across the country for their investment and backing during the tournament.
Source: theguardian.com
