‘I was stupid’: PSG coach Enrique admits mistake after slapping Chelsea striker Joao Pedro
Sandy Verma July 14, 2025 07:24 PM

Coach Luis Enrique (L, 2nd) slaps Joao Pedro after PSG lost 0-3 to Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup final on July 13, 2025. Photo by AFP

PSG was defeated 3-0 by Chelsea at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on Sunday. After the match, players from both teams clashed and Enrique joined in, pushing his hand into Joao Pedro’s neck and slapping him.

The altercation further intensified as more players from both sides rushed in, including Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca, creating a chaotic scene that left a poor impression on spectators.

“I was stupid,” Enrique said in the post-match press conference, as quoted by Mark. “He pushed me, I touched him, then he fell. My goal was always to separate the players. At the end of the match, there was a series of shoving matches. I always wanted to prevent this from happening. I also saw Maresca shoving there…”

PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi defended Enrique, stating, “We have the most disciplined and respectful coach in the world. He went to separate the ball and got pushed. You have to respect your coaches, too.”

The incident is expected to be reviewed by FIFA, and there could be sanctions for Enrique, as well as some players from both Chelsea and PSG.

PSG’s crushing 0-3 defeat in the final came as a shock, especially after their dominant performances leading up to the match, where they won 4-0 against Atletico Madrid, Inter Miami and Real Madrid, and triumphed 2-0 over Bayern Munich. PSG are also the reigning Champions League winner, having defeated Inter 5-0 in the final just weeks prior.

Despite the shocking defeat, Enrique remained composed.

“That’s football,” he added. “One could explain everything. I think we should reexamine the match to determine what happened. They started the game very well, with a high level of pressure, we had some difficulties, and then we tried to score a goal, but we couldn’t do it. They deserved this victory; they performed very well, and I’m sure I said Chelsea was a great team.”

While acknowledging the loss, Enrique rejected being labeled as a “loser.”

“We are not losers, there are no losers. We are the runners-up. A loser is somebody who gives up. In this high level of sport there are no losers whatsoever,” he said, as cited by Goal.

Chelsea 3-0 PSG

FIFA Club World Cup final: Chelsea 3-0 PSG

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