New Delhi: Argentina vice-coach Roberto Ayala has apologized for his altercation with Spain midfielder Dani Olmo after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, admitting that his actions were unacceptable. The scandal came after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time on Sunday to lift the World Cup title. FIFA has also started an investigation into what happened after the match.
Confusion after the final whistle
Controversy escalated shortly after the final whistle as players and staff from both teams began arguing.Spain captain Rodri was seen arguing with Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi. Leandro Paredes received a red card for a tackle on Gavi, who ran onto the field to celebrate Spain’s victory.Ayala was also affected by the matter. Television footage showed the former Argentina defender approaching Dani Olmo before he collided with the Spanish midfielder. Olmo chose not to retaliate.
Ayala apologizes for his actions
Speaking after this incident, Ayala admitted that he had made a mistake and said that he was sorry for not being able to control himself.“Obviously I’m sorry. Because of my position, I can’t let the feeling, or what I can receive from the other party, change my thoughts and my actions. I’m sorry, but for me, these are things that stay there,” said Ayala in an interview with Valencia Capital Radio.“For me, things should be put behind us and left there. It was more of a push than anything else, it wasn’t a punch as they say, and that’s it. It was against what he said, but that’s it. If I see him, I’ll apologize to him obviously,” he said.Ayala said her emotions got the best of her during the turmoil and she accepted full responsibility for her behavior.“It’s a shame, and you have to accept the facts and what he did on the pitch. When the game is over, all I see is a fight in the middle of the pitch, and we rush to chase our players, and it ends like this because it’s not who we are,” he said.He said that his original intention was to end the conflict rather than to be a part of it.“I take responsibility for what I did. My intention was to go and separate them, that was my intention, but sometimes things happen and emotions run too fast, but there is no excuse. And depending on my position, my behavior should be different, regardless of what I receive,” he said.FIFA has opened a disciplinary hearing on the dispute that took place after the match.The disciplinary committee has appointed an ethics and morals ombudsman to investigate the allegations against the players and coaches.
