MADRID : Spain coach Luis de la Fuente condemned the behaviour of Argentina’s players following their 1-0 defeat in the FIFA World Cup final, describing the post-match altercation as “intolerable” after a brawl between the teams prompted a FIFA investigation.
Tempers flared immediately after Sunday’s final whistle when Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes clashed with several Spain players, including Eric Garcia and Gavi, sparking a confrontation that required both squads to be physically separated. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was seen attempting to calm his players.
FIFA has since appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the incident.
“I find it intolerable and unacceptable from players of that calibre, whom I had been praising in the days before and who have a magnificent coach,” De la Fuente told Spanish public broadcaster TVE on Thursday.
“I want to highlight our behaviour in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation. Our players always kept their composure and behaved like true professionals.”
Reuters has contacted the Argentine Football Association for comment.
Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala apologised on Wednesday for his role in the altercation following the final.
De la Fuente, who guided Spain to the European Championship title in 2024 before leading them to World Cup glory, said coaching the national team at the 2030 World Cup, which Spain will co-host, would be “the greatest source of pride for any coach.”
