FIFA Launches Investigation into Post-Match Scuffles Involving Argentina Players
Argentina will face an investigation into the ugly scenes at the end of the World Cup final, FIFA has confirmed.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess what happened after the final whistle at MetLife Stadium.
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Any player or coach involved in the fracas could face suspension, while the Argentine Football Association (AFA) may also be fined.
Following their 1-0 defeat on Sunday, members of the Argentina team and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spain players as they began to celebrate their World Cup success.
Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to be involved.
It was initially reported by FIFA that Paredes had been sent off by referee Slavko Vincic after he pushed Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat.
Paredes’ red card was removed from the record shortly afterwards, and FIFA has confirmed to BBC Sport that no disciplinary action was taken at the time.
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Argentina had already had one player dismissed, with Enzo Fernandez receiving a second yellow card in second-half stoppage time.
FIFA had already begun the process of potential disciplinary action against Argentina after their players held a banner in support of their country’s claims to the Falkland Islands following the 2-1 semi-final win against England.
What Happened After the World Cup Final?
Leandro Paredes appeared to strike Spain defender Eric Garcia in the throat in the post-match fracas [Getty Images]
As the final whistle blew in New Jersey, a few Argentina players – including Lionel Messi – slumped to the turf.
Others stood there motionless as Spain’s players raced across the pitch in jubilation.
Rodri, who had been substituted in extra time, ran over from the dugout to join his teammates.
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As the Manchester City midfielder went past Molina, the Argentina defender appeared to punch Rodri on the arm or stomach.
This was the fuse that ignited the trouble.
Rodri confronted Molina, but it was the Argentina player who thrust forward in an aggressive manner.
Garcia ran over to back up his teammate, at which point Paredes got involved too, jabbing Garcia in the throat.
Unused substitute Gavi tried to intervene, only to be forced to the ground by Almada.
Paredes then pushed Gavi to the floor by placing his hand in the Spaniard’s face.
Ayala then appeared to hold Garcia around the throat and subsequently struck Spain midfielder Dani Olmo.
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“Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone’s face. He went for them,” Alan Shearer said on BBC One’s coverage. “There is no place or space for that.”
“We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible.”
Joe Hart added: “The game’s done, they can have absolutely no complaints about what happened today. Disgusting behaviour.”
However, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni, who had attempted to calm the situation, appeared to downplay the incidents in his post-match interview.
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“We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat,” he said. “Today, we are showing that we know how to lose.
“We lost the match, and we accept it, but that doesn’t mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here.”
What Action Could Argentina Face?
Thiago Almada and Leandro Paredes throw Gavi to the ground as Roberto Ayala appears to hold Eric Garcia around the throat [Getty Images]
FIFA’s disciplinary committee has various options open to it.
By appointing a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor, FIFA will examine offences beyond just potential violent conduct.
There is a greater chance of stronger punishment if players or the national association is charged and found guilty.
Article 13 of the disciplinary code covers offensive behaviour and the principles of fair play.
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The actions of the players and staff could be judged as “violating the basic rules of decent conduct” and “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute”.
The disciplinary and ethics prosecutor will consider “both aggravating and mitigating circumstances”, with the power to enforce a global ban.
FIFA has previously used this clause to charge former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales after he kissed Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win against England.
Rubiales was banned from all football-related activities for three years in 2023 and lost an appeal to get it overturned.
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was suspended from all football-related activity for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup.
It is unlikely that Almada, Ayala, Molina, and Paredes will face bans as long as this.
Gavi was pushed in the face by Leandro Paredes as he was forced to the ground [Getty Images]
The AFA, however, has faced issues with the behaviour of its players in recent years.
Argentina faced charges related to “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” and “misconduct of players and officials” following the 2022 World Cup final.
The South Americans beat France on penalties but were criticized for the way they celebrated.
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Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a lewd gesture with his Goalkeeper of the Tournament trophy before being filmed in the dressing room mocking France star Kylian Mbappe.
Argentina were fined £18,300, and no action was taken against any player involved.
However, Martinez was banned for two games in 2024 for ‘offensive behaviour’ during World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.
Martinez repeated his infamous celebration using a replica Copa America trophy following a 3-0 win over Chile. Four days later, he hit a camera with his gloves as a cameraman approached him on the pitch after a 2-1 defeat by Colombia.
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Following Argentina’s 2024 Copa America win, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was forced to apologise for a video he posted. The French Football Federation stated the song was a “racist and discriminatory” chant.
At this World Cup, the AFA is already facing a probable fine for the banner held up after the England game.
Their players celebrated while holding a cloth that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates as “The Falklands are Argentine”.
In 2014, the AFA was fined £20,000 after its players held up a banner with the same message before a friendly against Slovenia.
It is possible that FIFA could issue bans to the players who were holding it: Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, former Spurs player Giovani Lo Celso, and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez.
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After Spain’s 2-1 Euro 2024 final win over England, their captain Alvaro Morata and teammate Rodri were banned for one game by UEFA after they chanted “Gibraltar is Spanish” during their victory celebrations.
There is no time frame for FIFA’s prosecutor to complete the investigation into Argentina’s conduct.
On 18 February, UEFA appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to look into alleged racist abuse by Gialunca Prestianni to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during Real Madrid’s 1-0 win against Benfica.
It was over two months, on 24 April, before Prestianni was given a six-game ban for homophobic conduct, with three matches suspended for two years.
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