Former Spain defender Rafael Alkorta has defended Luis Enrique, saying he did nothing to Joao Pedro but the player went down writhing around as if he had sustained a serious injury.
PSG head coach Luis Enrique has been heavily criticised for his behaviour after his side lost 3-0 to Chelsea in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, with footage showing the former Barcelona boss brushing the face of Chelsea striker Joao Pedro as he fell, before explaining that he had only intended to stop the brawl between his players.
Former Athletic Bilbao centre-back Rafael Alkorta has defended Luis Enrique, a team-mate for Spain at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, on radio station Cadena Ser. "For me, the clash after the game was completely normal and, as Luis Enrique confirmed after the game, there was some pushing and for me, he really intended to break it up," he told radio station Cadena Ser.
"I don't think Enrique hit Joao Pedro in the face at all. Who said he was violent? He just touched him and the player went down and writhed. That's the point. It wasn't violent at all and it was far from it," Alkorta concluded.
Marca reported that the former Spanish national team coach's behavior could see him fined by FIFA. ( 789bk ) 
