Luis Enrique breaks silence on apparent ‘SLAP’ on Joao Pedro after PSG beat Chelsea in Club World Cup final

PSG boss Luis Enrique has looked to explain his role in a full-time scuffle after his side lost to Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. 

After the final whistle, players and coaches from both sides came together in an altercation with Enrique also involved. 

During the melee, Enrique appeared to use his hand to make contact with new Chelsea signing Joao Pedro in what some have termed a slap. 

Pedro hit the deck, with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in close proximity. 

Enrique subsequently looked to explain his actions, saying he was trying to act as a peacekeeper.    

‘At the end of the match, there is a lot of tension. It is a situation that can be avoided by everyone,’ said the PSG boss.

‘I think that is logical. I am going to prevent my players from going any further in that brawl and from then on there is pushing and shoving from everyone. 

Enrique appeared to make contact with Pedro’s face with his hand as both sides came together

Pedro hit the floor shortly after the contact with Gianluigi Donnarumma also in close proximity 

‘I think that is not the best thing to do. 

‘It’s a result of the tension, the result of the situation of the match and I have nothing more to add. 

It remains unclear at this stage if Enrique will face any punishment for his role in the scrum. 

Chelsea won the game in New Jersey 3-0 thanks to Cole Palmer’s double and a strike from Pedro. 

It was a bad-tempered affair which saw PSG’s Joao Neves sent off for pulling the hair of Marc Cucurella. 

Referee Alireza Faghani brandished the red card after VAR intervened. 

Neves was deemed to have committed violent conduct. 

When asked about the incident with Enrique after full-time, Pedro said: ‘We’re world champions and that’s what matters.

‘At the end of the day, it’s normal. Both teams wanted to win and that happens. 

‘It’s all part of it.’