FIFA charges Argentina players for World Cup final conduct and files case over Falklands banner
FIFA has charged several Argentine players for their conduct after their World Cup final defeat by Spain and sued the country’s Football Association for displaying a Falkland Islands-related banner after their semi-final win over England.
Spain lifted the trophy for the second time in its history after a disappointing final was made good by Ferran Torres’ extra time goal.
Ugly scenes followed at the end, with many Spanish players being attended by their Argentinian counterparts. Leandro Paredes was at the center of the brawl, as he grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat before pushing Gavi into the area.
FIFA confirmed on Wednesday that it had filed three charges against Paredes, and also charged Nahuel Molina (two charges, one completed and one attempted) and assistant coach Roberto Ayala (one count). Ayala was involved in an altercation with Spain’s Dani Olmo and promised to personally apologize to the Barcelona star.
Nahuel Molina (one count) and Thiago Almada (one count) were also charged with unsportsmanlike conduct, as was Spanish midfielder Gavi (one count).
FIFA added that those accused will have the opportunity to present their opinion before the decision of the disciplinary committee.
In addition, the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) looks set to face the action of this team after La Albiceleste beat England 2-1 in the semi-finals.
During the celebrations, several Argentine players stood with a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas (The Falklands are Argentine).”
Britain and Argentina fought in the Falklands in 1982, with a 74-day conflict that resulted in the deaths of 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British soldiers and three civilians. The Falklands remain a British territory, although Argentina insists that the archipelago in the South Atlantic is its property.
An official investigation was demanded by the British government, and a case was opened against the AFA for the group “using a sporting event to display a non-sporting brand”.
Actions against the AFA also relate to “team misconduct”, “racist discrimination and harassment” and “order and safety at matches”.
FIFA’s statement reads: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened charges against the Argentina Football Association for possible violations of article 13 paragraph 2 c) (Using a sporting event to demonstrate non-sports), article 14 paragraph 5 (Team misconduct), article 15 (Racism and discrimination) and FIFA article racial discrimination (Or harassment racial) and FIFA article discriminatory chants and gestures, late kick-off, failure to comply with the rules of the game and security, display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators and throwing of objects by spectators in relation to several matches of the team representing Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
