GENEVA (AP) 鈥� As FIFA investigates Argentina鈥檚 conduct after the final, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has described the incidents as 鈥渋ntolerable and unacceptable.鈥�
FIFA asked one of its to report back on testy on-field confrontations after Spain鈥檚 to dethrone the defending champion.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes physically tangled with Spain players Eric Garcia and Gavi, and Spain captain Rodri was hit in the stomach as he ran past Argentina defender Nahuel Molina.
鈥淚t cannot be allowed,鈥� De la Fuente told Spanish public broadcaster TVE on Thursday, adding he did not see the incidents at the time while 鈥渃elebrating with other people.鈥�
鈥淚n 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,鈥� the Spain coach said.
FIFA has given no details of the remit for its investigator, or if witness statements could be sought from Spain players and staff.
Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala apologized Wednesday for his confrontation with Dani Olmo, which he described as a shove and not a punch.
Coach praises Spain’s restraint
De la Fuente praised his players in the TVE interview for how they handled the situation at MetLife Stadium.
鈥淚 want to highlight our behavior in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation,鈥� the coach said. 鈥淥ur players always kept their composure and behaved like true professionals.鈥�
The Spain squad stood in a guard of honor for Argentina players walking to the podium to get their medals from U.S. President Donald Trump. Minutes later, when Rodri lifted the trophy, most of the Argentina squad turned their backs on the ceremonial moment.
Unclear timetable for FIFA action
FIFA disciplinary rules allow a special prosecutor to 鈥渞equest the opening of disciplinary proceedings and propose that disciplinary measures be imposed on member associations, clubs and individuals.鈥�
FIFA gave no timetable for any cases, and it is unclear when any potential bans for Argentina players would apply as the team does not have competitive games scheduled in the coming months.
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