Leandro Paredes shoving Gavi to the floor. (Image: Getty Images)
Argentina are at the mercy of FIFA after the governing body confirmed it had launched an investigation into the ugly post-match scenes at the World Cup final. The runner-ups could face disciplinary proceedings after the events which overshadowed Spain’s 1-0 victory, with several clashes taking place after the full-time whistle.
While the conduct of referees and match officials will also be looked at by FIFA, several Argentina players and staff could now face significant punishments if found guilty. While the Argentine Football Association may also be hit with another financial sanction, as controversy continues to mar the final.
The confrontation erupted shortly after the final whistle as Spain’s players began celebrating their World Cup triumph.
Defender Nahuel Molina, midfielder Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to become embroiled in the fracas.
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Reports claimed that Paredes had been issued a straight red card by referee Slavko Vincic following an apparent grab of Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat.
Nevertheless, the dismissal was subsequently erased from FIFA’s official records, with the governing body now confirming to BBC Sport that no disciplinary measures had in fact been imposed on the midfielder during the post-match chaos.
Argentina had already ended the fixture with 10 men following Enzo Fernandez’s red card for a second bookable offence in stoppage time.
“Following an assessment of the relevant match reports for the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina… the FIFA disciplinary committee has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FIFA disciplinary code with regard to the post-match incidents,” FIFA said in a statement.
The potential punishments emerge
By appointing a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor, FIFA has indicated that it is examining violations beyond mere violent conduct.
The investigation will determine whether the conduct of Argentina’s players and staff contravened Article 13 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, which addresses offensive behaviour and fair play principles.
This encompasses conduct that breaches “the basic rules of decent conduct” or actions that damage the reputation of football or FIFA itself.
Leandro Paredes clashes with Eric Garcia at full-time. (Image: Getty)
The prosecutor will evaluate both aggravating and mitigating circumstances before presenting recommendations, with FIFA holding the authority to impose worldwide bans where warranted.
FIFA previously invoked the same regulation when it pursued disciplinary proceedings against former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales after he kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final triumph over England.
Rubiales was handed a three-year ban from all football-related activities in 2023, with his later appeal against the sanction proving unsuccessful.
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was also hit with a four-month ban from all football-related activity following his bite on Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup.
The suspension meant the then-Liverpool forward was forced to sit out the first nine fixtures of the Premier League season.
Argentine players found guilty could now be facing substantial bans.
The fresh investigation arrives as Argentina were already facing potential sanctions over incidents following their World Cup semi-final triumph against England.
Following their 2-1 victory over England, a number of Argentina players were seen celebrating with a banner displaying “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”), a political statement supporting Argentina’s enduring territorial claim over the Falkland Islands.
FIFA had already initiated disciplinary proceedings regarding that episode, with AFA officials expecting a fine of $20,000.
Players including Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, former Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo Celso and Manchester United‘s Lisandro Martinez could also potentially face individual sanctions for displaying the banner.
Argentina could be punished by FIFA three times in total. For their post-match melee, a fine for the Falklands banner and players’ individual sanctions for promoting the political message.