Luis Enrique made headlines following the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final after cameras captured him grabbing Chelsea forward Joao Pedro during a heated post-match confrontation. After the game, the Paris Saint-Germain manager has finally broken his silence and addressed the incident.
As the final whistle blew at MetLife Stadium, Chelsea players erupted in celebration following a dominant 3–0 win over PSG. But as the Blues gathered at midfield, tensions flared between both sides, prompting coaches and staff to intervene.
In the chaos, Luis Enrique was seen first pushing and then grabbing Joao Pedro by the neck, causing the Brazilian striker to fall to the ground. The teams were quickly separated, and Chelsea eventually resumed their celebrations with the trophy in hand.
Luis Enrique: “I was trying to defuse the situation”
Despite the on-field clash, Chelsea players still formed a guard of honor for PSG and Luis Enrique during the medal ceremony. But the incident remained a focal point in the post-match press conference, where the Spanish coach was asked directly about his role.
“At the end of the game, there was a situation I believe was completely preventable on both sides,” Enrique said. “My intention was clearly to prevent and separate the players so the situation wouldn’t escalate.”
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He continued by pointing to the responsibility of both benches: “I saw Maresca being pushed and pushing others—clearly, our intention was to separate the players. I’m well aware of the tension in those moments. From there, it’s a situation that should’ve been avoided by everyone. I have nothing more to add.”
When pressed further, Enrique stood firm in his explanation. “I repeat, I have no problem sharing how I feel. At the end of the match, there’s a lot of tension. It’s something that could’ve been avoided by all involved. I was trying to prevent things from escalating. There were pushes from all sides. It’s not ideal, but it’s the nature of a high-stakes match. I don’t have anything else to add.”
After a near-perfect campaign in France and the UEFA Champions League, PSG’s Club World Cup loss was a tough pill to swallow. But with the final now overshadowed by controversy, a potential suspension for Luis Enrique remains in question.
