Exclusive: Luis Enrique facing FIFA charge for striking Chelsea’s Joao Pedro throat
PSG manager Luis Enrique is likely to face disciplinary action from FIFA for an incident that occurred in the aftermath of their Club World Cup final against Chelsea, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Enrique’s behaviour towards Blues striker Joao Pedro was “unacceptable” and should be punished.
Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 win over PSG at the MetLife Stadium in New York on Sunday (13 July) evening, ensuring that they were crowned the maiden champions of the revamped competition.
Enzo Maresca’s side were clear underdogs going into the contest, but raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of a pair of smart finishes from talisman Cole Palmer.
Palmer then turned provider on the stroke of half-time, slipping through former Brighton man Pedro, who dinked Gianluigi Donnarumma to put the West London side in dreamland.
In the second period, the Chelsea defence came under slightly more pressure, but by the time PSG saw midfielder Joao Neves sent off with five minutes left on the clock, the result was already a formality.
Enrique loses control after Chelsea beat PSG
Following the conclusion of the contest, tempers flared as a brawl broke out between the two sets of players.
Achraf Hakimi and Donnarumma had seemingly taken exception to something Pedro had said or done, and were confronting him in the middle of the pitch.
PSG boss Enrique was soon at the centre of the drama, striking the Brazilian on the neck with his fist.
The Chelsea forward fell to the floor clutching his face, and the Spanish manager was pulled away from the situation by unused substitute Presnel Kimpembe.
Keith Hackett reviews post-Club World Cup final brawl
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett was adamant that the manager of the French side will face punishment for his actions.
He said: “The behaviour of the PSG boss Luis Enrique was unacceptable. His left hand was clearly aimed towards Joao Pedro, landing on the players face/neck area and resulting in him falling to the ground.
“The manager’s facial expression was one of anger.
“This sparked a mass confrontation with the Enzo Maresca wrapping his hands around the PSG goalkeeper calming him down.
“The Chelsea manager was then very proactive ushering his players away.
“UEFA, the competition organisers, through their disciplinary committee will commence a review and investigation.
“In England a similar event would result in both teams receiving a charge of failing to control their players.”
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