Ayala, 53, later apologized, saying that if the two ran into each other again in the future, he would apologize in person, and that he thought a line should be drawn under the incident. However, in response to these comments, Mr. Olmo does not seem to want to leave it alone after denying that he caused the conflict, and believes that the apology is not sincere given Mr. Ayala’s failure to acknowledge what actually happened.
“Those who confess that they are sorry but then justify their punch by saying that it was a reaction to a proverb are lacking in truth and are surely not sorry,” Olmo told his hometown newspaper Diary de Terrassa.
“I didn’t say anything to him, so I don’t need him to apologize. What really defines us is not our mistakes, but the courage to take them on with humility and truth and dignity.”
He added: “When my children, my family, our many fans and the people of Terrassa watch the match, I want them to be proud of how we fought, how we won and above all of what we did. Because with the importance of football, we players set an example for our children and new generations, and that comes with a great responsibility.”
“But thank God, what really matters is that we had a great World Cup, the world watched it, and after a lot of hard work we became world champions.”
Ayala previously told Esports Migdia de Valencia Capital Radio: “I’m sorry. The place I’m in is a place where I can’t allow my emotions and what I might receive from the other person to change my mood or my actions.”
He added: “It was more of an imposition than anything else. It wasn’t a punch like they wanted it to be… it was a reaction to the words. I’m in a place where I’m not allowed to change my mood or my actions based on my emotions or what I might receive from the other person.”
However, Ayala accepted the defeat graciously, saying: “Congratulations to Spain. When you play against a team that beat you, you have to know that it’s an experience and a learning experience. Spain played very beautiful football in the World Cup.”
