Fifa Opens Disciplinary Case Against Argentina After World Cup Final
The fallout from Argentina’s stormy World Cup final defeat to Spain has moved from the pitch to the courtroom of world football, with Fifa formally opening disciplinary proceedings against the beaten finalists.
The governing body has escalated its response after a bruising conclusion to July’s showpiece at the New York New Jersey Stadium, where tempers flared in the immediate aftermath of Spain’s 1-0 victory. Multiple Argentina players and members of the backroom staff became embroiled in confrontations with Spain’s players once the final whistle went on their title defence.
Those chaotic scenes are now under the microscope.
On the recommendation of a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor appointed last week to review the incident, Fifa has confirmed that several Argentina figures face potential sanctions for alleged breaches of its disciplinary code.
- Nahuel Molina has been cited on two counts of alleged assault under article 14, and could also be punished for a separate count of alleged unsporting behaviour under the same article.
- Leandro Paredes faces three counts of alleged assault, while assistant coach Roberto Ayala has been charged with one count of alleged assault.
- Argentina’s Thiago Almada and Spain midfielder Gavi have also been accused of alleged unsporting behaviour, again under article 14.
The charges are serious. Under Fifa’s disciplinary code, players and officials found guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct face a minimum one-match suspension. Any assault charge carries a mandatory ban of at least three matches.
For Argentina, the emotional scars of that final are obvious. Now they must confront the possibility that the cost of losing their crown will extend well into their next international window.
