PSG coach Luis Enrique admitted that he lacked self-control and should not have gotten involved in the brawl with striker Joao Pedro after PSG lost 0-3 to Chelsea.
Luis Enrique spent 10 minutes answering the press after the FIFA Club World Cup final on the morning of July 14 (local time). He said he was not afraid to express his emotions and that anyone could have avoided the ugly situation (referring to the choking and slapping of the new Chelsea player). The Spanish strategist's goal was to separate the group of players who were fighting.
"I was stupid. He pushed me, I touched him, and he fell down," he explained to his assistant, according to DAZN. "I tried to prevent the argument from escalating. I repeat, it was not the best thing to do, and I have nothing more to say."
According to Marca, right after the final whistle, when Chelsea were preparing to celebrate their victory, the brawl broke out. Chelsea's new signings, Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos, reportedly argued with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and defender Achraf Hakimi. Donnarumma then rushed to confront Joao Pedro, forcing players and coaching staff to intervene. The camera captured the moment coach Luis Enrique suddenly rushed in to push, choke, and slap Pedro, causing him to fall. Chelsea coach Maresca was also pushed by the crowd.
PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi defended Luis Enrique: "We have the most disciplined and respected coach in the world. He came to stop him and was pushed away. You have to respect your coach, too." Marca said that Luis Enrique could face a heavy penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct from FIFA.
When asked about the loss, coach Luis Enrique said that football is like that, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and at the same time, he hopes that everyone should review the match to determine what happened. He assessed that the English team started very well, putting a lot of pressure on PSG's defense.
"We had a little difficulty, then we tried to score but failed. They deserved this victory because they played very well. I definitely said Chelsea is a great team," said Luis Enrique.
Regarding the future, Luis Enrique affirmed that leading PSG is a great thing and knows who will help the team. They will put the criticism of the FIFA Club World Cup final behind them to enjoy a short vacation with family and friends.
"In difficult times, you know who is there for you and who is not. Since I was a kid, I have been loved by many people. I don't know if I am being too arrogant. However, we are not losers, we are runners-up, because this is the pinnacle of sport. I will not use the word 'loser'," he responded to a journalist's question when he said that PSG were "losers".
For more than 90 minutes, Chelsea showed their superior strength against the reigning Champions League champions. Midfielder Cole Palmer scored twice and assisted the third goal for teammate Joao Pedro, helping the English team defeat PSG 3-0. Cole Palmer was also awarded the "Best Player of the Match" title.