Olympics hockey ace deliberately hits rival on the head with his stick to spark angry scenes at Tokyo 2020

AN OLYMPIC hockey player hit an opponent on the head with his hockey stick during a match between Spain and Argentina.

Argentine Lucas Rossi, 36, jabbed Spaniard David Alegre, 36, in the head while he received treatment for cramp.

Spain’s David Alegre receives treatment for cramp

But Argentina’s Lucas Rossi believes he’s faking injury and gives him a whack

Alegre reacts to the jab and the umpire gets involved

Rossi is ushered away from the scene, with one Spanish player grabbing him by the throat

In the latter stages of the Pool A match between the two nations, Alegre went down after a muscle gave way.

An Argentine star quickly went over to help the afflicted star – but Rossi decided to take a different cause of action.

Perhaps believing the Alegre was feigning injury to waste time, Rossi shouted in his face and jabbed him in the head with his stick.

Although the man in blue-and-white caused his opponent no harm, his actions weren’t in the traditional spirit of the Olympics.

Alegre reacted to the tap before both sets of players began exchanging verbals, with Rossi being ushered away by his team-mates.

The umpire called time shortly after the incident, with the fiery affair finishing 1-1.

The teams appeared to have calmed down at the whistle, bar Rossi – who needed to be calmed down by players and officials.

Experienced midfielder Alegre has represented Spain at the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2020 Olympics, winning a silver medal in Beijing.

Rossi, who is also a midfielder, has represented Argentina at the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympics, winning a gold medal in Rio.

More to follow…