FIFA, the global governing body for football, has confirmed that it will investigate altercations involving players from Argentina and Spain that occurred after Spain’s victory in the World Cup final. The incidents took place on the pitch following the final whistle, as Spain’s players began to celebrate their win.
The post-match scenes included several confrontations. Argentina defender Nahuel Molina reportedly struck Spain midfielder Rodri in the stomach as Rodri ran onto the field to celebrate. This was followed by a larger melee in the center of the pitch, where Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes allegedly grabbed Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat before pushing Gavi to the ground when Gavi attempted to intervene.
In a statement released on Monday, FIFA announced its intention to look into the incidents. The statement indicated that following an assessment of the relevant match reports for the FIFA World Cup final, and in accordance with article 36 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor. This prosecutor will investigate potential breaches of the FDC related to the post-match events. Further details regarding the investigation are expected to be communicated by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee once the prosecutor’s report is complete.
Post-Match Confrontations and Criticisms
The aggressive actions from the Argentina side, both during and after the match, have drawn significant criticism. Leandro Paredes, who was involved in the altercation with Eric Garcia and Gavi, was issued a red card after the final whistle. He had also received a yellow card during the match for a hard tackle shortly after entering the game as a substitute. Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni was also seen being held back by a Spain player while shouting at someone, and Nicolas Otamendi exchanged words with several Spanish players, including Rodri.
Beyond the physical confrontations, Argentina’s conduct after their loss has been widely criticized. Reports indicate that the Argentine players turned their backs on Spain during the post-match ceremony. Additionally, Argentina’s players reportedly avoided the media in the mixed zone, which is a standard media obligation during the tournament. Spain’s Dani Olmo commented on Argentina’s actions, stating that while they did not care, the important aspect was the values transmitted, suggesting that both teams should be examples for future generations.
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez received a red card in the third minute of added time at the end of the regulation 90 minutes, having accumulated a second yellow card for a late challenge on Pau Cubarsi. Four other Argentina players, including Paredes, were booked during the match, alongside the team’s head coach Lionel Scaloni. The match concluded with Spain securing a 1-0 victory, with the winning goal scored by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute.
Reactions and Next Steps
The behavior of the Argentine team has been a significant talking point. One commentator noted that Lionel Messi was the only player on the pitch who displayed class, shaking hands with every Spanish player. This commentator described the overall behavior of the Argentine team as “disgusting.”
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the loss, stating, “We accept the loss; we gave everything. We were stretched thin coming into this, but giving it your all, like they did today, sets a great example for our people and our country. You lose, and you have to pick yourself up again.”
The investigation by FIFA will determine if any further disciplinary actions are warranted. The specific outcome and the timeline for FIFA’s ruling remain unclear at this time.
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Source: nytimes.com
