Hierro felt some regret at this moment. He felt he should have substituted André off earlier instead of leaving him on the pitch to continue provoking the opposition. He didn't actually blame André for the fight, but Oviedo would ultimately be the one most harmed by this brawl. He knew the Spanish Football Association would definitely issue post-match penalties, and while Castilla didn't have any promotion pressure, having three key players suspended at such a critical moment would be a huge blow to the squad.
Ultimately, the match ended right at the 90-minute mark as the referee blew the final whistle.
The match ended in complete chaos.
At the post-match press conference, many reporters arrived early. An ordinary Segunda División match wouldn't usually get them this excited, but a match with existing bad blood that escalated into a mass brawl naturally became the focus of their pursuit.
"Mr. Malono, this was your first match as the head coach of Castilla. What are your thoughts on the brawl that occurred at the end, and who do you think is responsible?"
Dias, attending a press conference as head coach for the first time, was the first to be questioned by reporters.
"Everyone, most of them are very young players. Sometimes they aren't calm enough on the pitch. I believe all of this can be forgiven. So I don't think this is about finding someone to blame. If we're talking about responsibility, I, as the head coach, should bear most of it. I hope everyone can give these young players some time."
Faced with almost the same question, Hierro's answer was not nearly as polite.
"Although I didn't come from Castilla, I spent most of my career at this great club, Real Madrid. In today's match, I believe these young players have insulted the name of Real Madrid. I believe everyone saw the entire process very clearly. André is only sixteen years old. You all saw his performance in today's match—he has unparalleled talent. But how did the opponents treat him? I could choose to believe Mr. Malono's words—that they are young players and weren't calm enough. But I believe no one should forget one thing: the root cause of everything was Óscar's foul. Oh, no! The word 'foul' is no longer appropriate. I think 'assault' is more fitting. They attempted to use such despicable means to destroy a sixteen-year-old talent. Mr. Malono, I have to ask: is it because you couldn't keep such a player that you absolutely had to destroy him?"
Hierro's final sentence immediately caused an uproar. Reporters raised their hands one after another, like sharks scenting blood. Hierro's words had moved beyond the level of competition into the realm of morality.
"Fernando, you must be responsible for what you say."
Dias stood up with a dark expression and spoke directly.
Following Dias's words was the "click, click" sound of camera flashes. Seeing two head coaches, both from Real Madrid, clashing head-on, the reporters on the scene were practically hoping they would start a physical fight right then and there.
"Of course I'll be responsible for my words. Besides, with such a thing happening, I have reason to be suspicious. I believe every person here saw what happened. Is my suspicion not reasonable? From Óscar's criminal tackle to the sudden attack by that number 10 player, does that not show they were all targeting André? Furthermore, I believe everyone here knows very well why André left Castilla. What did he experience at Castilla back then? Why was such a talent regarded as a 'cancer' of Castilla? Is there not something wrong with that?"
After hearing Hierro's words, Dias was so angry that he turned and left the venue. He didn't know what had gotten into Hierro, or why he suddenly seemed intent on blowing the situation out of proportion.
In truth, Hierro had no choice. Regardless of the reason, André's fighting ability during the brawl was too formidable. The three men lying on the ground were almost all his handiwork. If Hierro did nothing and let Dias settle things quietly, the Spanish Football Association's punishment for André would not be light. If that happened, Oviedo's upcoming schedule would be in serious trouble. So even if it meant smearing his former club, Hierro had to muddy the waters. He wanted to use public opinion to describe André's actions as a form of self-defense, hoping the Spanish Football Association would consider a lighter penalty.
If Dias knew Hierro's plan, he would probably cough up blood from anger.
Whether Hierro's idea could be realized or not, it was a typical case of looking out for oneself at the expense of others. Most importantly, regardless of success, it smeared Castilla's reputation. Once this matter blew up, Dias could imagine that the reporters would be fixated on Castilla. Even Solari, who'd just become the first team's head coach, would be dragged into it. If not handled well, it might even affect the first team.
Thinking of this, Dias, sitting on the team bus, frowned deeply. At this moment, he wished he could strangle González, who was the first to strike, and Óscar, who committed the foul. It was these two who'd directed this drama.
"Won't doing this be a bit inappropriate?"
After the press conference ended, Hierro returned to the squad, and Sánchez asked him.
"I have no choice. If I don't say it this way, André will likely face a heavy penalty. At that time, it won't just be him—it will even affect the team's upcoming schedule. Sigh, this lad didn't know his own strength."
"He was already very restrained. If it were the old him, those people wouldn't have been able to walk off the pitch."
"That's true."
At the Spanish Football Association, the referee of the match reported the entire incident. The Spanish Football Association took the brawl very seriously and immediately summoned the officiating crew for questioning.
"The entire incident went like this. It's fair to say that the root cause was that vicious foul, and then the actions of Real Madrid's number 10 made the situation uncontrollable," concluded the referee, Alacañas.
"You mean the primary responsibility for this matter lies with Real Madrid's number 10 and number 17 players?" asked Rubí Álvarez, the President of the Spanish Football Association.
"I am only recounting the events. Determining specific responsibility is not within my scope of work. However, if I were to step out of my role as the referee, I would say that is the case."
"And what about Real Oviedo's number 19?"
"Number 19..." The referee paused. "Number 19 was defending himself after being assaulted. The initial tackle from number 17 could have ended his career. Then number 10 threw the first punch. Number 19's response was... forceful, but it was reactive, not instigative."
Álvarez nodded slowly, making notes.
"This will require careful consideration."
The referee left.
And Álvarez sat there, reading Hierro's inflammatory press conference quotes.
This is going to be a nightmare, he thought.
But perhaps not for the person Hierro was trying to protect.
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