Luis Enrique will be right where PSG fans expect him on Wednesday night—standing in his technical area, barking instructions—when the Champions League winners meet Europa League champions Tottenham in the UEFA Super Cup.
And that’s despite an incident at the Club World Cup final last month that had many wondering if he’d even be allowed on the touchline.
The Club World Cup Flashpoint
The drama unfolded during PSG’s heated final against Chelsea, a match already packed with tempers and tension.
After the whistle, chaos broke out between players and staff from both sides.
In the middle of the melee, Enrique appeared to make contact with Chelsea forward Joao Pedro’s face—a move some labeled as a slap.
Pedro fell to the ground, with PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma standing close by.
FIFA’s Investigation and the Verdict
FIFA wasted no time launching an investigation into the incident.
Video replays showed Enrique’s hand connecting with Pedro’s face, but after reviewing the situation, football’s governing body decided not to issue a suspension.
The ruling means Enrique faces no ban, no fine, and no missed matches—something that will no doubt please PSG supporters.
More Than Just One Heated Moment
That so-called slap wasn’t the only controversial moment in the match.
Earlier, Joao Neves was sent off for pulling the hair of Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, further fueling the bad blood between the teams.
By the time the final whistle blew, emotions were already running high, setting the stage for the post-match confrontation.
Enrique Explains His Side
Enrique has denied any malicious intent, insisting he was trying to calm the situation rather than escalate it.
“At the end of the match, there’s a lot of tension,” he explained.
“I wanted to prevent my players from getting further involved in the brawl.
From there, there’s pushing and shoving from everyone—it’s not the best thing, but it happens in football.”
Pedro Shrugs It Off
For his part, Joao Pedro seemed unbothered by the whole affair.
After the match, he downplayed the incident, saying, “We’re world champions and that’s what matters.
Both teams wanted to win, and moments like that happen—it’s part of the game.”
