Jack Grealish has broken his silence on claims he shouted ‘Ole’ at the Fluminense players after Manchester City’s Club World Cup victory.
Manchester City added the Club World Cup to their trophy collection as Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden helped Pep Guardiola’s men breeze to a 4-0 final win over Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense.
However, the game ended on a sour note as Felipe Melo and Kyle Walker found themselves involved in a heated altercation.
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Melo approached Walker at full time, sparking a feud that saw several players quickly bundling into the confrontation in an attempt to drag the pair apart.
An based on Melo's post-match claims, it appears the Fluminense player was actually gunning for Grealish, with Walker getting in his way.
After the game, Melo explained: “I've already seen on social media idiots saying that I started a mess just as the idiots said that I started the mess with the goal that Gremio scored.
“In the game against Gremio, I calmly went to ask the athlete celebrating with their fans. And they ended up creating a mess. And I didn't want a mess. Today Grealish was disrespectful towards the Fluminense institution and I will never let that happen.
“He was shouting ole at the end of the game. This is for the fans, the fans can shout ole. The athlete on the field cannot be disrespectful towards the institution.
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“So, for the idiots who call themselves journalists and have already said that I started trouble, I didn't start any confusion, on the contrary, I went to defend Martinelli, who was being cornered by this athlete. And I would do it again. I am a warrior.”
However, Grealish has since taken to social media to refute claims he was shouting 'Ole' in a bid to taunt the Fluminense players at full-time.
Writing on X, formally Twitter, Grealish said: “Not once did I say ‘ole’”.
Manchester City return to Premier League action at Everton on December 27 before hosting Sheffield United on December 30.
Topics: Jack Grealish, Manchester City, FIFA Club World Cup, Kyle Walker
Chris Byfield