Argentina’s turbulent World Cup ended with more than the loss of their title.
FIFA has opened a disciplinary investigation into the violent scenes that followed Spain’s 1-0 victory at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, with several Argentine players and staff members potentially facing sanctions.
The case adds to Argentina’s existing disciplinary problems. FIFA is also examining the political banner displayed after the semi-final victory over England, meaning the federation now faces scrutiny over two separate incidents from the closing days of the tournament.
Paredes at the centre of the investigation
The disorder began shortly after the final whistle, as Spain’s players started celebrating their second men’s World Cup title.
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According to The Guardian’s report on FIFA’s investigation, Nahuel Molina appeared to strike Spain captain Rodri in the stomach as he entered the pitch.
A larger confrontation then developed near the halfway line.
Leandro Paredes appeared to grab Eric García by the throat before turning his attention to Gavi, whom he struck or pushed in the face before throwing him to the ground. Referee Slavko Vinčić subsequently showed Paredes a red card after the match had ended.
Roberto Ayala, a former Argentina international and a member of Lionel Scaloni’s coaching staff, was also involved. Video footage appeared to show Ayala swinging an arm towards Dani Olmo during the confrontation.
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FIFA has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to examine the referee’s report, the reports submitted by match delegates and the available video footage.
As described by El País in its account of the proceedings, the investigator will assess the actions of Molina, Paredes and Ayala before recommending whether sanctions should be imposed. A final decision could take between 15 and 20 days.
Argentina were already under scrutiny
The final is not the only matter being examined by FIFA.
After Argentina defeated England in the semi-final, several players displayed a banner reading: “The Falkland Islands are Argentine.”
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FIFA prohibits political messages at its tournaments, and the incident has prompted a separate investigation. Giovani Lo Celso, Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero were among the players associated with the banner.
According to AS’s report on Argentina’s disciplinary situation, the federation was already being monitored over that episode before the violence at the final added another potential case.
The two investigations leave Argentina facing an uncomfortable disciplinary aftermath to a tournament in which they came within one match of retaining the trophy.
Incorrect red-card details corrected
Argentina had already been reduced to ten players before Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal.
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Enzo Fernández was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card during stoppage time at the end of the second half. He was therefore not sent off in the 93rd minute of extra time, as stated in the original version.
The Associated Press match report states that Torres scored in the 106th minute, taking advantage of a bouncing ball inside the penalty area before finishing past Emiliano Martínez.
Paredes’ red card was shown after the final whistle rather than during the 126th minute of play.
Spain protected their lead through the remainder of extra time to secure their first men’s World Cup title since 2010. Argentina’s response after the whistle, however, ensured that the final ended with FIFA officials examining violence rather than focusing solely on Spain’s triumph.
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