Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi stormed out of his press conference and accused England of showing “disrespect” after Saturday’s controversial Nations Championship match.
Contepomi was outraged by the music and cheers coming from the England dressing room as they celebrated their 31-24 victory in Santiago del Estero.
He asked an England official in the room to stop making noise, but then lost patience and left just four minutes after the press conference, saying he was leaving due to “disrespect.”
It was the final controversial moment of the evening, with seven players sent to the bin, Falkland Islands banners in the crowd and an disallowed try in the third minute of overtime which, had it been converted, would have seen Argentina draw.
England head coach Steve Borthwick fulfilled his media duties but refused to talk about the poor discipline that once again nearly cost his team.
Argentina fans held up a banner reading in Spanish: “Islas Malvinas are Argentines,” referring to the Falkland Islands.
Argentina wore commemorative jerseys inspired by their infamous 1986 World Cup quarter-final victory over England.
The visitors led 19-3 at the break but Jack van Poortvliet, Alex Coles, Henry Pollock and Emmanuel Ayogun were stumped in the second half, forcing them to play a total of nine minutes with 13 men, including the final moments of the match.
England players have received 14 yellow cards in the last eight Tests, but Borthwick has been irritated by questions about his team’s discipline.
He said: “I don’t think now is the time to delve into this.
“This team did very, very well. It was a tough Test match, a fantastic Test match, we scored some great tries and as always you focus on the negative.”
“You’re like the negativism committee, so it’s nice to come and talk to you again.”
Borthwick: Our players showed ‘incredible spirit’
Tommy Freeman quarreled with Argentine Mateo Carreras during a violent altercation
Saturday’s chaotic clash capped England’s summer with a superb late tackle from Henry Slade over Bautista Delguy to ultimately secure victory.
Argentina thought Delgui had scored only for video referee Brett Cronan to rule out the try as it was flagged on the touchline.
Borthwick said: “I’m delighted for the players. They showed incredible spirit under the brilliant leadership of Jamie George.
“Matches between England and Argentina, regardless of the sport, end up being very intense and full of drama.
“It’s almost unfair to give one example, but Henry Slade’s tackle at the end was incredible.
“It shows the struggle that goes on in this group of players and also their unity and bond.
“These players now deserve a fantastic holiday, a good night and a good rest.
“They worked hard and this season lasted a long time.
“We all know how many minutes English players play and these guys stuck it out until the very end.”