Following Chelsea's dominant 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup final, a heated brawl erupted between the two teams, with Chelsea forward Joao Pedro at the center of the controversy. The incident occurred at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, shortly after the final whistle, marring Chelsea's celebration of their world champion title.
According to reports, the altercation began when PSG players confronted Pedro, accusing him of time-wasting during the match. Tensions escalated, leading to a physical confrontation involving PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and manager Luis Enrique. Video footage shows Enrique pushing and grabbing Pedro by the neck, causing the Brazilian striker to fall to the ground.
"They [PSG] lost their heads," Joao Pedro stated after the match, referring to the incident with Enrique and Donnarumma. "It's unfortunate that a great game had to end like that, but their frustration was evident."
The match itself was a one-sided affair, with Chelsea's Cole Palmer scoring two goals and assisting Pedro for another. PSG, who were considered favorites after a dominant semi-final win against Real Madrid, struggled to find their rhythm. Adding to their woes, PSG's Joao Neves received a red card in the 85th minute for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair, further escalating tensions. Six yellow cards were also handed out during the match, highlighting the intense and physical nature of the contest.
Luis Enrique addressed the incident in a post-match press conference, stating that the situation "could have been avoided by everyone". He acknowledged the tension and pressure within the team, adding, "there is a series of shoves from a lot of people, which I think we should all avoid and which should not happen again". However, Enrique's actions have drawn criticism, with many questioning his role in instigating the brawl.
The brawl was eventually broken up by players and coaches from both sides, allowing the trophy ceremony to proceed. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who was in attendance with First Lady Melania Trump, presented the awards and medals to the Chelsea team.
The incident has sparked widespread debate about sportsmanship and the responsibilities of coaches and players. While acknowledging the heat of the moment, many believe that Enrique's actions were unacceptable and set a bad example. Joao Pedro's response suggests a level of disappointment at the way the match concluded, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure and respect, even in defeat.
