FIFA is set to investigate Argentina after the World Cup final brawl with Spain players, with players and football federation facing possible disciplinary action.
Fifa has opened an investigation into the post-match brawl that followed Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, with players and the country’s football federation facing possible disciplinary action.
Leandro Paredes was sent off after the final whistle following clashes with Spain’s Eric Garcia and Gavi, while Nahuel Molina appeared to swing at Spain captain Rodri.
Fifa will assess the incidents before deciding whether to impose further sanctions. The investigation could also cover events after Argentina’s semi-final victory over England.
Following that match, several Argentina players displayed a banner reading, “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates to “The Falkland Islands are Argentinian”.
A Fifa spokesperson said after the semi-final, “As is standard procedure, Fifa’s independent Disciplinary Committee is currently assessing the match reports and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps based on the Fifa Disciplinary Code.”
The same process will apply to the World Cup final.
Paredes and Enzo Fernandez, who was sent off during normal time after receiving two yellow cards, will each serve a one-match suspension in Argentina’s next competitive fixture.
However, Fifa’s Disciplinary Code states that players dismissed for violent conduct must be suspended for “at least three matches”. It also says misconduct involving assault, including “elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting at or hitting an opponent” will result in a suspension of “at least three matches or an appropriate period of time”. The code also allows retrospective sanctions.
Uruguay’s Luis Suarez received a nine-match international ban and a four-month suspension from all football-related activities after biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup.
France legend Zinedine Zidane was handed a three-match ban after headbutting Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final, while Materazzi received a two-match suspension for provoking the French midfielder. Zidane’s ban was never served because he retired after the tournament.
Fifa could still increase any punishment handed to Paredes if it determines his actions amounted to violent conduct. Molina could also face retrospective action despite avoiding a card during the match.
Argentina’s football federation could also face disciplinary measures if Fifa concludes there were wider acts of misconduct. The disciplinary code states that “if a national team conducts itself improperly (for example, if individual disciplinary sanctions are imposed by the referee on five or more players during a match), disciplinary measures may also be taken against the association concerned”.
The code also provides for sanctions where teams are found to have behaved “in a way that brings the sport of football and/or Fifa into disrepute”.
The confrontation began after Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal and Rodri ran past Molina following the final whistle as Spain celebrated winning the World Cup. Molina appeared to swing at Rodri before the two squared up.
Garcia intervened before Paredes ran into the confrontation and knocked the Spain defender to the ground. After Garcia got back to his feet, Paredes appeared to jab him in the throat.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni attempted to separate the players before Paredes turned his attention to Gavi. The midfielder was spun to the ground before Spain players stepped in. Footage also appeared to show Argentina assistant coach Daniel Ayala striking Spain midfielder Dani Olmo.
The disorder brought a controversial end to Argentina’s campaign as Lionel Messi made his final World Cup appearance.
