Argentina will face an investigation into the ugly scenes that unfolded at the end of the FIFA World Cup final against Spain, the International Football Federation (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 in New York/New Jersey.
Any player or coach involved in the brawl could face suspension, while the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is at risk of receiving a financial penalty.
Following the 1-0 defeat, members of the Argentine squad, including several coaches, clashed with Spanish players as they celebrated their World Cup triumph.
Argentina internationals Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala were reportedly involved in the incidents.
FIFA initially stated that referee Slavko Vinčić had sent off Paredes after he grabbed Spanish defender Eric García by the throat and shoved him.
However, Paredes’ red card was later removed from the official match report, and FIFA confirmed to BBC Sport that no disciplinary action had been taken against the Argentine at that stage.
During the match, Vinčić had already sent off Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández, the Chelsea player, for a reckless challenge on Spain teenager Pau Cubarsí, who was named the tournament’s Best Young Player.
FIFA has already opened separate disciplinary proceedings against Argentina after its players displayed a banner supporting their country’s claim to the Falkland Islands following the 2-1 victory over England in the semifinals.
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What Happened After the World Cup Final?
When Slavko Vinčić blew the final whistle, several Argentine players collapsed onto the pitch in despair after failing to defend the title they had won four years earlier in Qatar.
Others stood motionless as Spain’s players ran across the field celebrating their World Cup victory.
Spain captain Rodri, who had been substituted during extra time, sprinted from the bench to celebrate with his teammates.
As the Manchester City midfielder, who was later named the tournament’s Best Player, passed Nahuel Molina, the Argentine defender struck him on the arm or stomach.
That proved to be the spark that ignited the confrontation.
Rodri confronted Molina, but the Argentine defender reacted aggressively.
Eric García rushed over to help his captain, while Leandro Paredes joined the altercation and struck García in the throat.
Spain midfielder Gavi attempted to intervene but was knocked to the ground by Thiago Almada.
Paredes then pushed Gavi to the ground, placing his hand on the Spaniard’s face, while Roberto Ayala was seen holding García by the throat.
On the other side of the pitch, Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo was also struck.
“Paredes slapped someone two or three times, he went after them,” Alan Shearer said during BBC One’s live broadcast.
“We know how much this means to them, and we know how painful it is to lose, but there’s a way to lose.
“We’ve seen this kind of behavior from Argentina far too many times. What they did after the match was awful,” the former England striker said.
Another former England international, goalkeeper Joe Hart, described Argentina’s behavior as “disgusting.”
“The match is over. They have absolutely nothing to complain about and nobody to blame for the defeat except themselves.”
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, who tried to calm the situation, sought to play down the incidents.
“We are dignified in victory, and we must also be dignified in defeat,” he said.
“We have shown that we know how to lose, how to accept defeat.
“We lost the match and we accept it, but that doesn’t mean life stops or that we forget everything we did to get here.”
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What Punishments Could Argentina Face?
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has a wide range of sanctions at its disposal.
By appointing a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor, FIFA will conduct a broader investigation into possible misconduct, rather than focusing solely on potential violent behavior.
There is a greater likelihood of severe sanctions if individual players or the national association are formally charged and found guilty.
Article 13 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code deals with offensive behavior and the principles of fair play.
The actions of players and coaching staff could be classified as “violating the basic rules of decent conduct” and “behaving in a manner that brings football and/or FIFA into disrepute.”
The disciplinary and ethics prosecutor will consider both “aggravating and mitigating circumstances” and has the authority to impose worldwide bans.
Under the same provision, FIFA charged former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales in 2023 after he kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s victory over England in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final.
Rubiales was banned from all football-related activities for three years.
Uruguay striker Luis Suárez received a four-month worldwide football suspension after biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
As a result of that punishment, the then-Liverpool striker missed the first nine Premier League matches of the season.
It is considered unlikely that Almada, Ayala, Molina, and Paredes will be suspended while FIFA’s investigation is ongoing.
In recent years, the Argentine Football Association has faced several disciplinary issues concerning the conduct of its national team players.
Argentina was charged with “offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play” and “misconduct by players and officials” following the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar.
The South Americans defeated France on penalties but faced criticism over the manner in which they celebrated.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made an obscene gesture with the tournament’s Golden Glove trophy before later being filmed in the dressing room mocking French star Kylian Mbappé.
Argentina was fined more than €20,000, although no individual player was sanctioned.
However, Martínez received a two-match suspension in 2024 for “offensive behavior” during World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia.
After Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Chile, Martínez repeated the controversial celebration using a replica of the Copa América trophy.
Four days later, he struck a television camera with his gloves as a cameraman approached him on the field following Argentina’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia.
Following Argentina’s triumph at the 2024 Copa América, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández was forced to apologize for a video he posted.
The French Football Federation responded at the time, describing the song featured in the video as “racist and discriminatory.”
At this recently concluded World Cup, disciplinary proceedings had already been opened against the Argentine Football Association over the banner displayed after the semifinal victory against England.
Argentina’s players celebrated while holding a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Falkland Islands are Argentine”).
The Argentine Football Association was fined €23,500 in 2014 after its players displayed the same banner before a friendly match against Slovenia.
FIFA could also impose suspensions on the players who held that banner, including Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, former Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, and Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez.
Following Spain’s 2-1 victory over England in the UEFA Euro 2024 final, UEFA suspended then-captain Álvaro Morata and Rodri for one match after they chanted “Gibraltar is Spanish” during the title celebrations.
There is no deadline for FIFA’s prosecutor to complete the investigation into the conduct of Argentina’s players during the World Cup.
On February 18, UEFA appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate allegations that Gianluca Prestiani directed racist abuse toward Real Madrid’s Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior during the Spanish club’s 1-0 victory over Portugal’s Benfica in the UEFA Champions League.
The decision came more than two months later.
Prestiani ultimately received a six-match suspension for homophobic conduct.
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Source Danac / BBC; Foto: REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli