Otamendi refuses Rodri handshake after Spain win, accuses rivals of a week of complaints | OneFootball

According to Glorioso 1904, Nicolás Otamendi refused to shake Rodri’s hand moments after Spain sealed the title against Argentina, confronting the Spain midfielder at full time. The exchange was captured on the host broadcast and clips spread rapidly across social media.

As the whistle went, Rodri moved in to offer a handshake. Otamendi, clearly agitated, declined and fired back with a stern response.

He told Rodri to speak less and accused Spain’s players of spending the week complaining, naming Rodri and Laporte and alleging persistent pressure on the officials. The flashpoint followed an earlier scuffle involving Leandro Paredes, Gavi and Eric García.

The Argentine defender’s anger followed Rodri’s pre-final comments, made after the semi-final against France, in which he criticised the tournament’s refereeing and the protection afforded to Lamine Yamal. He argued that more than 10 or 15 fouls had gone unpunished and called the leniency obvious.

Otamendi interpreted those remarks as an attempt to influence the referees, so he withheld the handshake and made his feelings clear before leaving.

Source: Glorioso 1904