VALENCIA – Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala apologised on July 22 for his altercation with Spain midfielder Dani Olmo in the chaotic aftermath of the World Cup final, as FIFA investigates the post-match brawl that marred Spain’s 1-0 victory.

Television footage showed Ayala confronting Olmo during wild scenes following the final whistle in the July 19 final, with FIFA later opening disciplinary proceedings over the incidents.

“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,” Ayala said in an interview with Valencia Capital Radio.

“For me, we need to draw a line and leave it at that. It was more of a shove than anything else, it wasn’t a punch as they’re making it out to be.

“It was a reaction to something he said, but that’s it. If I see him, I’ll obviously apologise to him in person.”

The former defender said emotions got the better of him as tensions escalated after full-time and insisted he had initially tried to separate players during the confrontation.

Argentina players Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada were also involved as teammate Leandro Paredes grabbed Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat.

“When the match ends, what I see is a scuffle in the middle of the pitch, and we rush over to get our players out of there,” Ayala added.

“I take responsibility for what I’ve done. My intention was to go over and separate them, but sometimes things just happen and your heart’s racing, though that’s no excuse.

“Eric Garcia was there too, and I simply told Eric that I’d gone over to separate them and congratulate them, that’s all.”

FIFA has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the post-match brawl involving players and coaching staff, with those involved potentially facing suspensions while the Argentine Football Association could also be fined.

Spain midfielder Gavi, however, does not feel that Argentina midfielder Paredes should be suspended for his post-game tirade.

Tensions were high after the match and Paredes had a major part in elevating them further. While players were mixing it up, Paredes charged in from behind and crashed into Gavi, eliciting further pushing and shoving and an occasional swing.

Still, Gavi said Paredes should not receive a ban.

“I don’t think he should be suspended,” he said. “I understand it’s not a good image for children, but I think there’s also that side to football, which is a bit more physical, more aggressive.

“The most logical thing would have been to send him off during the match, and that’s it. In the end, I think it’s all football, and it has to be that way.”

Gavi became involved in the incident after attempting to intervene in the confrontation that involved Garcia.

At one point, Paredes was listed as receiving a red card for his post-game actions but that was deleted a short time later. He was later asked about the incident.

“I was just talking to them after the match,” he said. “Things got heated with their teammates being aggressive. They didn’t need to get physical like that. It was childish.” REUTERS, AFP