Dani Olmo fires back at Argentina’s Ayala: “If you justify a punch, you’re not really sorry”
The Spain player has responded to Roberto Ayala’s words of remorse for the aggression he showed after Argentina’s defeat in the World Cup final.
Dani Olmo has responded to the recent remarks made by Roberto Fabián Ayala concerning his part in an ugly incident which occurred after Spain’s World Cup triumph over Argentina.
Ayala, a member of Lionel Scaloni’s technical staff, was captured aggressively shoving the Spanish international on the pitch after the final whistle.
The Argentinean later justified his reaction by saying: “It was a push more than anything else, and not a punch like people are saying. It was a reaction to a remark that was made. If I see Dani Olmo, I will apologize to him”.
But Olmo bluntly responded by saying there is no need, and questioned the sincerity of Ayala’s apology.
“Someone who admits to being sorry but defends a punch by saying it was a response to a remark is probably not remorseful, because they are being untruthful. I didn’t say anything to him, so I don’t need him to apologize,” Olmo said, flatly rejecting Ayala’s version of how the incident began.
The world champion wanted to go beyond the specific episode and sent a message about the values that, in his view, should prevail in sport.
“What really defines us isn’t the mistake, but the courage to own it with humility, truth and dignity," he reflected. “When my children, my family and so many fans watch the match, I want them to be proud of how we competed, how we won and, above all, of our conduct, because football’s significance makes players role models for children and future generations, and that carries a very large responsibility”.
Despite the controversy, Olmo preferred to hold on to the sporting memory of a historic tournament. “But thank God, what really matters is that we experienced an incredible World Cup, the world saw it, and we are world champions after a huge amount of work,” the Spanish international concluded, downplaying an incident that, in his view, does not tarnish the success achieved by the national team.
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