Dani Olmo rejected an apology from Argentina's national team assistant coach Roberto Ayala for their altercation after Spain's victory in the 2026 World Cup final.
Television footage showed Ayala violently grabbing the Barcelona midfielder by the neck even after the altercation he apologized and added that it was a reaction to something he said (Olmo).
Olmo then responded to Ayala's apology and told Catalan newspaper Diari de Terrassa that the Argentina national team assistant coach was lying.
"Someone who says they're sorry, but justifies the punch by saying it was a response to a comment."
"Of course I don't regret it because he lied. I didn't say anything to him. So, he doesn't need to apologize."
"What really defines us is not mistakes, but the courage to admit them with humility, honesty, and dignity."
"When my kids, my family, and all the fans watch the game, I want them to be proud of how we competed, how we won."
"The most important thing is our behavior. Because of the importance of football, it means we, the players, are an example for children and the new generation. It carries a great responsibility," said Olmo.
Meanwhile, when apologizing in an interview with Radio Valencia Capital in the middle of last week, Ayala denied the assumption that he had hit Olmo.
"Of course I'm sorry. Given my position, I can't let feelings, or whatever I might receive from the other side, affect my mood or actions."
"For me, we need to draw a line and leave it at that. It's more like a nudge than anything, not a punch like they're describing."
"It was a reaction to something he said, but that's all. If I meet him, I will definitely apologize to him in person," Ayala said at the time.
Argentina faced heavy criticism for their behavior at the final whistle of the title-winning match on July 19, 2026, where several squad members and staff, especially Leandro Paredes, physically confronted several Spanish players.
FIFA has opened a disciplinary investigation into the incident.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
