Argentina assistant manager who struck Spain star breaks silence after ugly incident

Argentina's assistant manager has broken his silence after he was caught striking Spain star Dani Olmo after the team's World Cup final loss.

Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game in extra time for Spain, securing La Roja's second world title.

Argentina, who had Enzo Fernandez sent off, did not take react well to losing their crown and there were ugly scenes at the final whistle.

When Spain captain Rodri ran back on to the pitch, cameras picked up Argentina right-back Nahuel Molina lashing out.

But that wasn't all, Leandro Paredes was seen grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat before slinging Gavi to the turf in an almighty headloss.

Yet the most surprising moment of madness came from Argentina's assistant coach Roberto Ayala, who was seen putting his hands on Barcelona midfielder Olmo.

After a few days passed, Ayala, who played for AC Milan and Valencia, has now commented on his aggressive behaviour.

READ MORE: Leandro Paredes breaks silence after grabbing Spain player by the throat in ugly scenes after World Cup final

He issued an apology for what he did, though he claimed he did not punch Olmo.

“Obviously I’m sorry. Because of my position, I can’t allow a feeling, or what I might receive from the other party, to change my mood and my actions. I’m sorry, but for me, these are things that stay there and that’s it,” Ayala told Esports Migdia, as per Barca Blaugranes.

“For me, things need to be put behind us and left there. It was more of a push than anything else, it wasn’t a punch like they’re saying, and that’s it. It was a reaction to something he said, but that’s it. If I see him, I’ll obviously apologize to him in person.

“I take responsibility for what I did. My intention was to go and separate them, that was my intention, but sometimes things happen and emotions run high, but that’s no excuse. And given my position, my behavior has to be different, regardless of what I receive. Eric García was also there, and I simply told Eric that I went in to separate them and offer my congratulations, nothing more.”

Argentina subject to FIFA probe for World Cup final chaos

Argentina are facing punishment for what transpired after the World Cup final loss, with FIFA opening an investigation into the ugly scenes.

The governing body's post-match disciplinary committee appointed disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to analyse the events in depth.

Anyone involved risks punishment, with the prosecutor determing whether Argentina breached Article 13 of the disciplinary code, which includes "violating the basic rules of decent conduct" and "behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or Fifa into disrepute".

Meanwhile, Article 14 of FIFA's Disciplinary Code has a list of sanctions that can be imposed on players and staff.

Anyone found guilty of violent conduct will receive a minimum suspension of three match for the national team and the same sanction will be valid for 'assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting at or hitting an opponent or person other than a match official'.