Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala has apologized for his altercation with Spain midfielder Dani Olmo following the 2026 World Cup final, an apology Olmo has rejected.
The incident occurred after Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Television footage from the chaotic scenes after the final whistle showed Ayala confronting Olmo during a mass brawl involving players and staff from both teams.
Spain won the match through a 106th-minute goal from Ferran Torres. FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings into the post-match disorder, which also involved Argentina's Leandro Paredes grabbing Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat.
Speaking to Valencia Capital Radio on Wednesday, July 22, Ayala said he regretted his actions. "Of course I'm sorry. Given my position, I cannot allow a feeling, or whatever I might receive from the other party, to affect my mood or my actions," he said.
The former Argentina captain described the contact as "more of a shove than anything else, it wasn't a punch as they're making it out to be" and said it was a reaction to something Olmo had said. He added that his initial intention was to separate players and that he would apologize to Olmo in person.
Olmo, 28, responded in an interview with Catalan newspaper Diari de Terrassa, rejecting the apology and disputing Ayala's account. "Someone who says they're sorry but justifies a punch by saying it was a response to a comment is surely not sorry because he is lying," Olmo said. "I didn't say anything to him, so he doesn't need to apologize."