Lisandro Martinez explains why Argentina players turned their backs on Spain’s World Cup lift

Argentina’s players refused to face Spain’s trophy lift after the World Cup final (Picture: AP)

Lisandro Martinez says Argentina players only had their backs turned on Spain’s World Cup lift as they were ‘showing respect’ to their own fans behind the goal.

Unsavoury post-match scenes threatened to overshadow Spain’s celebrations after what was a scrappy and bad-tempered final in New Jersey.

Argentina midfielder Leandro Parades was at the centre of an especially ugly skirmish involving Gavi and Eric Garcia, in which he was seen kicking and shoving the Spanish duo on the ground.

A separate altercation saw Argenti...