Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala insists he did not punch Spain midfielder Dani Olmo following Sunday’s tempestuous World Cup final but has said he will apologise to the Barcelona star in person.
Ayala was involved in the post-match scuffles that marred the showpiece game in New Jersey with Argentina very much the aggressors as their frustration at losing 1-0 boiled over.
The former Napoli, AC Milan and Valencia defender, who was regarded as one of the most combative players of his generation, was embroiled in a scuffle with Olmo while Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat before pushing Gavi to the turf.
Speaking on Valencia Capital Radio, 53-year-old Ayala, who works under head coach Lionel Scaloni, said: “I saw there was a tussle in the middle of the field and we tried to look out for our players.
“I take full responsibility for my actions, my intention was to separate the players and nothing else. Sometimes things happen and you have a thousand pulses (in your body), but it’s not an excuse and the role I have is very important. I shouldn’t have done that no matter what I received.”
It was a push, not a punch, insists Argentina coach Ayala
Regarding the alleged punch towards Olmo, he added: “It was more of a push than anything else, it was not a punch as they said. It was a reaction to something that was said but if I see Dani Olmo, I will apologise in person.”
Argentina’s conduct in the final – and the semi against England, after which they held up a hugely provocative banner relating to the Falkland Islands – has led to a tidal wave of criticism which Ayala finds strange.
“I don’t know why, I don’t know if it’s a campaign, but there was a certain animosity towards our team because we were doing well,” he added.
Ayala explains Argentina snub at trophy presentation
Argentina were also condemned for turning their backs on the trophy presentation, opting instead to face their supporters at one end of MetLife Stadium.
Ayala, who made 116 appearances for Argentina, said: “Now they are just looking for things to be negative about when it comes to Argentina. There were thousands of gestures from the Spanish players that weren’t highlighted. You have to do some real journalism.
“Most of our fans were there so we went to thank them for their sacrifice.”
