Spain boss De La Fuente slams ‘unacceptable and intolerable’ Argentina behaviour

FIFA is investigating after ugly scenes followed the full-time whistle.

Spain boss De La Fuente slams ‘unacceptable and intolerable’ Argentina behaviour

Spain boss Luis De La Fuente slammed Argentina‘s behaviour after the World Cup final as “unacceptable and intolerable”.

FIFA is investigating following ugly scenes at the end of the tournament showpiece at MetLife Stadium.

Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike sealed a 1-0 win for Spain as they lifted the trophy for the second time.

But a fractious encounter was marred by the conduct of Argentina after the full-time whistle. Several Spain players accosted by Argentina counterparts, with Leandro Paredes at the centre of the controversy, as he grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat before pushing Gavi to the turf. 

Spain captain Rodri was hit in the stomach while running past Argentina defender Nahuel Molina, and Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala was involved in a scuffle with Spain’s Dani Olmo. Ayala has said he will apologise to Olmo in person.

“It cannot be allowed,” De la Fuente said of the incidents in an interview with TVE.

“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.

“I want to highlight our behavior in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation,” the coach said. “Our players always kept their composure and behaved like true professionals.”