PSG president defends Luis Enrique after controversy with João Pedro
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi has publicly defended head coach Luis Enrique following the controversial post-match incident with Chelsea striker João Pedro after the Club World Cup final on Sunday.
The altercation occurred shortly after PSG’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at MetLife Stadium, where video footage appeared to show Luis Enrique slapping João Pedro during a heated confrontation between players and staff.
Footage Sparks Global Reaction, FIFA Investigates
The incident quickly drew global attention. During Chelsea’s celebrations, Luis Enrique and PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma were seen arguing with João Pedro and Andrey Santos. In the footage, Luis Enrique makes contact with João Pedro’s face, causing the striker to fall to the ground. PSG players then pulled back, ending the brief skirmish.
Match officials did not intervene at the time. FIFA is now reviewing the footage and assessing whether disciplinary action is warranted. Sources from Marca and Mundo Deportivo report that FIFA is treating the case as an isolated incident, with any potential suspension likely to be symbolic or limited to Club World Cup matches only.
Al-Khelaïfi Backs Coach: “Coaches Deserve Respect Too”
In a post-match interview in the mixed zone, Al-Khelaïfi dismissed the severity of the clash and defended his coach’s integrity.
“Our coach is the most disciplined and respected in the world,” he said. “He went to separate the players who were fighting and ended up getting involved. Coaches deserve respect too.”
The PSG president implied the incident was a byproduct of match tension and emphasized that Enrique’s actions were misunderstood in the heat of the moment.
Possible Punishment for Enrique
Former FIFA referee Eduardo Iturralde previously warned that Enrique could face a suspension of up to three matches, but only within the Club World Cup framework. The sanction would not extend to domestic or continental competitions, meaning Enrique would remain eligible for Ligue 1 and UEFA matches.
FIFA is expected to announce a final decision in the coming days.
What’s Next for PSG
PSG now shifts focus to their upcoming fixtures. The French champions will face Tottenham in the UEFA Super Cup on August 13, followed by Ligue 1 matches against Nantes and Angers.
Despite the controversy, the Parisian side looks to regroup after falling short of their goal to end the season with five titles.
