Argentina manager issues complaint to FIFA claiming Spain have ‘unfair advantage’
The head coach of the Argentinian football team has complained that the team are at a disadvantage in the World Cup final.
Argentina will be playing off against Spain in the World Cup final at the MetLife stadium in the US, with Argentina defending the title after previously winning in 2022.
The defending champions made their way to the final after defeating England 2-1 in the semifinals, while Spain beat France 2-0 to secure their spot.
But despite Argentina's success in the tournament, the team's head coach Lionel Scaloni has now complained that the side is at a disadvantage in the final.
Advert
This is because Spain's semifinal match was scheduled earlier than Argentina's, and Scaloni has claimed that this means they have more time to recover ahead of the final, Metro reports.
Not only that, but Scaloni also complained that they would have to train in the hot temperatures in New York just hours after arriving.
"We are focused on rest and based on that we will see how they arrive, because there are players who are not at 100%," he said.
"We will evaluate how they are. We play thinking about ourselves, but being mindful of the good things that the opponent has."
He added: "But with the press conference and everything, we had to do a strange, quick training session, and we hardly got to try anything out."
Meanwhile, Scaloni has also said that the energy of Argentina's fans has helped to motivate the team.
"You see your people, how they celebrate, how they are happy, that gets you, it’s impossible for it not to touch your heart," he said.
"At the end we play for them, the team plays for the country, for their family."
It comes as Argentina faced intense controversy after their semifinal match against England.
Members of the team displayed a sign on the pitch which said in Spanish 'the Falklands are Argentinian', in contravention of FIFA's rules around players making political statements.
The incident sparked outrage, with even 10 Downing Street issuing a statement after the match.
“The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are,” a Downing Street spokesperson said. “Our position is unchanged. Self-determination rests with the islanders. Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.”
FIFA said previously that it is investigating the incident, previously telling LADBible in a statement: “As is standard procedure, FIFA’s independent Disciplinary Committee is currently assessing the match reports and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps based on the FIFA Disciplinary Code."
The government of the Falkland Islands, which voted 99.8 percent in favour of remaining a British overseas territory in 2013, also issued a statement.
"The Falkland Islands Government is disappointed – though regrettably not surprised – that the Argentine football team decided to tarnish the result of last night’s World Cup football semi-final – a game that did not in any case involve the Falkland Islands," the statement said.
"That said, it is hardly news to anyone that the people of the Islands were victims of an aggressive invasion in 1982, which left many traumatised. The banner displayed by Argentina last night, therefore, was particularly insensitive for many people in the Falklands."
Topics: World Cup, Football, World News
Kit Roberts