Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique ignited widespread controversy and sparked shocking scenes of post-match chaos at the prestigious Club World Cup final after grabbing Chelsea forward Joao Pedro by the throat in an aggressive and heated altercation on the pitch.
The incident erupted just moments after Chelsea secured a dominant and emphatic 3-0 victory over the reigning Champions League holders, PSG, at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The stunning win marked a triumphant night for the Blues and added another major title to their collection.
The commanding victory was driven by a sensational brace from Cole Palmer and an additional goal from Joao Pedro, ensuring Chelsea celebrated their second major trophy of the 2024/25 season and further cementing their status as a global football powerhouse.
However, the jubilant celebrations were briefly marred by the unexpected and ugly clash at the final whistle. Replays showed Enrique appearing to angrily approach Pedro, then lunge forward and grab the Brazilian forward’s throat, sparking a heated scuffle involving players and staff from both sides.
PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was also seen charging into the confrontation, further escalating the situation and contributing to the chaos that left Pedro lying on the ground in visible discomfort.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Enrique attempted to minimize the seriousness of his actions, suggesting that his intention had merely been to defuse tensions between the players. “My intention was clear. I ran over to separate the players. I didn’t want the situation to get any worse,” he insisted, though footage seemed to suggest otherwise.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who was spotted trying to hold Donnarumma back during the incident, admitted he was uncertain about the precise cause of the altercation. “After the final whistle, I approached Luis to talk to him and I saw that something was going on. I don’t know what happened, really,” Maresca explained to the press after the game.
The tensions had already been simmering late in the second half when PSG midfielder Joao Neves received a red card following a VAR review that confirmed he had pulled Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella’s hair off the ball — a decision that visibly frustrated PSG players and fans alike.
Despite the heated confrontation and chaotic ending, Chelsea's players continued with their celebrations, proudly wearing "World Champions 25" shirts and taking a victory lap to show appreciation for their traveling supporters and fans around the globe.
Cole Palmer's exceptional man-of-the-match performance, which included two clinical goals and an assist, proved instrumental in dismantling a PSG side that had come into the final as heavy favorites to win the trophy. His brilliance was celebrated by Chelsea fans as a defining moment of the night.
The fallout from the explosive ending to the match is expected to extend off the pitch, with FIFA likely to conduct a thorough review of the video footage and potentially issue disciplinary sanctions against Luis Enrique and other players involved in the melee.