Fifa Opens Disciplinary Case Against Argentina After World Cup Final
The fallout from Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain has moved from the pitch to the courtroom, with Fifa formally opening disciplinary proceedings against the beaten finalists.
The world governing body has escalated its response after ugly scenes followed Spain’s 1-0 win at the New York New Jersey Stadium in July, when several Argentina players and members of the backroom staff became embroiled in heated confrontations with their Spanish counterparts after the final whistle.
A disciplinary and ethics prosecutor was appointed last week to piece together exactly what happened in those chaotic post-match moments. On the back of that investigation, Fifa has now triggered cases against a number of Argentina figures, placing the conduct of the world champions under intense scrutiny.
- Nahuel Molina faces two counts of alleged assault under article 14 of Fifa’s disciplinary code
- Leandro Paredes has been cited on three counts under the same article
- Assistant coach Roberto Ayala has also been charged with one count of alleged assault
- Molina has been singled out again for one count of alleged unsporting behaviour
- Argentina midfielder Thiago Almada and Spain’s Gavi have also been accused of unsporting behaviour
Fifa’s disciplinary code sets clear minimum sanctions: at least a one-match suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct and a minimum of three matches for assault. Any guilty verdicts would not only stain reputations but could also disrupt future international plans, with suspensions potentially cutting into key fixtures on the global stage.
The result in New York is fixed in the record books. The repercussions for how that night ended are only just beginning.
