FIFA formally charged several Argentina players, coaching staff and the nation's football federation in a series of high-profile controversies at the World Cup. A week before the final against Spain, at the end of the first leg there was an anti-English banner and accusations of fan misconduct throughout the tournament.
The most serious charges involved chaotic clashes that took place just after Spain secured a difficult 1-0 victory against Argentina in the World Cup final on 19 July. FIFA said players and staff were involved in violent behavior on the field. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes now faces three separate charges of assault for the post-game violence. Defender Nahuel Molina is charged with two and assistant coach Roberto Ayala with one.
The final has been littered with unsporting behavior fallout. Nahuel Molina and midfielder Thiago Almada have both been formally charged with unsporting behavior by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. Spain player Gavi is also charged with the exact same unsporting behavior due to the post-match chaos of the match, so officials are weighing up the mutual friction between the two teams after the final whistle.
FIFA also has targeted the Argentine Football Association over comments made on the pitch. In Argentina’s 2-1 semi-final win over England, players held up a banner that said “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (Spanish for “The Malvinas are Argentine”). Argentina has called the Falkland Islands the Islas Malvinas since 1982, when the military dictatorship of Argentina invaded them in a 10-week war. FIFA has since formally charged the federation with using a sports competition to send non-sporting messages.
Also, the multitude of disciplinary cases against Argentina included other infractions. FIFA cited such discriminatory chants and gestures in the stands and the widespread throwing of objects by fans during some games in the tournament.
FIFA confirmed that all individuals and entities who have been charged have now been given a formal opportunity to present their positions and legal defenses. We will take decisions on this and issue sanctions in due course by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
