Unsavoury scenes unfolded at full-time of the World Cup final. (Image: Getty)
FIFA have announced that Argentina have been removed from the top of their official world rankings after Lionel Scaloni’s side were defeated in the World Cup final by Spain. A disappointing performance and ugly scenes at full-time have landed the team in hot water, but their first punishment has been to lose their spot at the summit of the governing body’s rankings.
New world champions Spain have served another gutterpunch to Argentina by taking their place. Victory at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey assured that they would move to top spot, on 1,995.88 points, having banked 30.27 ranking points for a historic victory over Argentina thanks to Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner.
Argentina have dropped into second place on 1,970.37, with France, England and Brazil making up the top five.
Morocco, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands and Mexico complete the top 10.
The rankings represent the latest blow for Argentina following a tumultuous end to their World Cup journey.
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They ended the final with 10 men after Enzo Fernandez received a red card and Argentina did not manage a solitary effort on target against Spain before tensions erupted following the final whistle.
Leandro Paredes appeared to shove Eric Garcia by the throat before grappling Gavi to the turf, while Nahuel Molina seemed to lash out at Spain captain Rodri as players and staff became engulfed in a mass brawl.
FIFA has subsequently opened a formal disciplinary inquiry, appointing a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the incidents, with both players and the Argentine Football Association potentially facing punishment.
In a gesture of sportsmanship, Spain midfielder Gavi has called on FIFA not to suspend any Argentina players over the events, despite being one of those caught up in the post-match disorder.
Gavi, who was amongst the Spain players embroiled in the chaotic scenes, believes any penalties should fall short of suspensions.
Leandro Paredes was involved in the post-match scenes after the World Cup final (Image: Getty Images)
“If I’m honest, I don’t think they should be suspended,” he said.
“I understand that what happened doesn’t set a good example for children, but football also involves an element of friction and violence. For me, it was normal for the player to be sent off during the match, but in the end I see these things as part of football.”
His comments come as FIFA’s disciplinary probe continues, with several Argentina players and members of the backroom staff facing the possibility of sanctions over their involvement in the post-match confrontations.
The global governing body is also probing Argentina over incidents following their semi-final triumph against England, when a number of players unveiled a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Falkland Islands are Argentine”), which appeared to violate FIFA rules banning political messages at tournaments.
Despite the bitter end to their title defence and the controversy engulfing the squad, Argentina were afforded a rapturous welcome upon their return home.
Thousands of fans flocked to Buenos Aires as an open-top bus ferried the squad through the city streets following their arrival from the United States. A military band welcomed the team at the airport before they walked along a red carpet to the waiting bus.
The 39-year-old captain, who was reduced to tears after the final defeat, flew separately to his hometown of Rosario rather than rejoining the rest of the squad in Buenos Aires. The Inter Miami star is expected to make the most of the three-week rest period granted to World Cup players before returning to club action in MLS.
Rodrigo De Paul, Cristian Romero, Julian Alvarez and Fernandez were also among those who did not travel back alongside the rest of the squad, while Scaloni and veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi were the first to step off the team flight.