Cucurella Reflects on Traore Altercation: 'Joao Pedro Saved My Life'
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has spoken out about his heated clash with West Ham United forward Adama Traore, jokingly claiming that teammate Joao Pedro came to his rescue during a dramatic incident. The altercation occurred towards the end of Chelsea's narrow 3-2 victory over the Hammers at Stamford Bridge last weekend in the Premier League.
Incident Sparks 22-Man Brawl and Red Card
During the closing stages of the match, Cucurella and Traore, who are international teammates for Spain, became entangled in a physical confrontation. Traore forcefully shoved the Chelsea defender off the pitch, which prompted Joao Pedro to push Traore in retaliation. This action ignited a massive brawl involving players from both sides, leading to multiple bookings and a red card for West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo, who was dismissed for grabbing Joao Pedro by the throat.
Cucurella's Candid Account on Catalan TV
In an interview with Catalan television channel 3Cat, Cucurella provided a lighthearted yet detailed account of the scuffle. He admitted to intentionally provoking Traore in the heat of the moment. "It was towards the end of the match, I put my body in a bit, we wrestled [for the ball]. There was a moment when I got up and saw that I was very close to him, so I thought, 'I'm going to stick my head in there to see if I can stir things up'," Cucurella explained. "Then he grabbed me, threw me, and a big brawl broke out! These things happen, I have no problem with it."
He humorously added, "Joao Pedro saved my life, honestly. If I were Joao, I would have run backwards." Cucurella also joked that he might hesitate to greet Traore if they crossed paths on the street, highlighting the intensity of the on-field incident.
Surprise Call with Traore Eases Tensions
During the same television appearance, host Gerard Romero surprised Cucurella by bringing Adama Traore onto the call. The West Ham forward, aged 30, clarified that the clash was not personal and stemmed purely from the competitive nature of the game. "It was in the heat of the moment, nothing more," Traore stated. "I know he's a good guy and it's nothing personal, it all stays on the pitch."
Traore further explained, "I didn't mean to do it, it wasn't my intention. I just wanted to talk to the linesman." In response, Cucurella quipped, "Now I'm calm because there's a screen between us!" This exchange helped to diffuse any lingering tensions, with both players acknowledging that such incidents are part of the high-stakes environment of professional football.
Aftermath and Broader Implications
The brawl has drawn significant attention due to its scale and the involvement of key players from both Chelsea and West Ham. While the altercation resulted in disciplinary actions, including Todibo's red card, both Cucurella and Traore have downplayed the severity, emphasizing that it was a momentary lapse in the passion of the match. This incident underscores the fierce rivalries and emotional intensity that characterize Premier League fixtures, often leading to spontaneous confrontations that are quickly resolved off the pitch.
