Online Reporter
FIFA have launched disciplinary action against Argentina over their Falklands World Cup banner, while two players have also been accused of “assault” in the World Cup final.
Argentina finished runners-up after making the final in controversial circumstances before being beaten 1-0 by Spain. Putting aside a number of favourable refereeing decisions before the semi-finals, Lionel Messi and Co then earned a 2-1 comeback win over England to book a spot in the final against Spain.
However, after the final whistle players were seen displaying a banner which read: “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates as “The Falklands are Argentine”.
Fifa began “assessing match reports” shortly after the game to figure out whether they would be charged with an offence, with Fifa rules prohibiting the making of political statements.
And in an update issued two weeks on from the heated clash, Fifa have now opened disciplinary proceedings against the Argentine FA.
A statement said: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association for potential breaches of article 13 paragraph 2 c) (Using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature), article 14 paragraph 5 (Team misconduct), article 15 (Discrimination and racist abuse) and article 17 (Order and security at matches) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code in light of discriminatory chants and gestures, late kick-offs, failure to comply with match and security protocols, the display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators and the throwing of objects by spectators in relation to several matches of the representative team of Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2026.”
The disgraceful violence which soured the aftermath of the World Cup final was also brought up.
Ugly scenes at the MetLife Stadium following Spain’s win saw Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all involved.
Paredes had been seen brawling with and then grabbing the throat of Spanish star Eric Garcia.
Meanwhile, video footage emerged which revealed Molina had struck Manchester City star Rodri as he ran past during the celebrations.
The world champions were not totally innocent either though, with Barcelona midfielder Gavi also being charged with a charge of unsporting behaviour. A Fifa statement said: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has received the report of the appointed Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor concerning incidents that occurred during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final (Spain v. Argentina) and, following the recommendation contained therein, has opened disciplinary proceedings— for potential breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 i) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (assault) —against Argentinian players Nahuel Molina (two counts, one completed and one attempted) and Leandro Paredes (three counts) and Argentinian official Roberto Ayala (one count).
“Disciplinary proceedings have also been opened —for potential breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 b) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (unsporting behaviour) — against Argentinian players Nahuel Molina (one count) and Thiago Almada (one count) and Spanish player Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (one count).”
Fifa concluded by saying those accused of wrongdoing had the chance to present their position, which would then be followed by a decision by the disciplinary committee.
According to Fifa’s disciplinary code, the disciplinary and ethics prosecutor had the power to enforce a global ban. Fifa smacked former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales with a ban under the same clause after he kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips following their Women’s World Cup final win over England.
Luis Suarez was similarly banned for four months for biting Giorgio Chiellini during a clash between Uruguay and Italy at the 2014 World Cup.
Argentina were fined £20,000 in 2014 after players held a banner with the same text as this tournament’s on before a friendly against Slovenia.
Fifa could issue bans to the players who held the banner after the win over England, those being Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso. Rodri and Alvaro Morata were both hit with one game bans in 2024 after chanting “Gibraltar is Spanish” following La Roja’s European Championship win over England.— Sun.
