FIFA charges Argentina over World Cup ‘Falkland Islands’ banner and final brawl
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has announced that it is taking action against the Argentinian Football Association over their controversial behaviour in the World Cup.
Argentina unveiled a handwritten banner proclaiming ownership of the Falkland Islands at the final whistle following their last minute victory over England in the semis.
The alleged offence is being investigated along with the brawl that broke out in the aftermath of Argentina’s convincing 1-0 final defeat to Spain.
Both Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina are being investigated for the alleged assault under FIFA’s disciplinary code of Spain’s Rodri and Eric Garcia, whilst assistant coach Roberto Ayala is also under investigation.
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Paredes was sent off for clashing with Garcia and Gavi, while Nahuel Molina appeared to take a swing at the Spain captain after the final whistle.
Molina and Thiago Almada have also been charged with unsporting behavior, along with one Spanish player in Gavi.
The global governing body for football said all the people charged ‘have now been provided with the opportunity to present their position, following which a decision will be issued by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in due course’.
‘Disgusting’ scenes at full-time
“There was one man on the pitch who did have class and that was Lionel Messi, who shook hands with every one of those Spanish players,” BBC pundit Joe Hart said after the final.
“The game’s done. They could have absolutely no complaints about what happened today. Disgusting behaviour.”
Hart continued: “Spain fully deserve it. They have been absolutely superb all tournament.
“They have dominated all game against a rigid, rugged Argentina. The best team has won this World Cup.”
Fellow pundit Wayne Rooney added: “Does it surprise you? It doesn’t surprise me.
“We’ve seen this with Argentina before. It’s just not the reaction you want. We’ve seen some of the reaction after knocking England out in the last round.
“That’s just sad. If you lose a game of football, be graceful and get out of there. It’s really poor from them.
“That’s a reaction to them being outplayed, out-fought, out-thought on the football pitch, and then they resort to that at the end. It’s poor from those two players.”
Where is the next World Cup?
Morocco, Portugal and defending champions Spain will co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2030, marking the football tournament’s 100th anniversary.
It’s set to run from 8 June 2030 to 21 July 2030, making it the longest World Cup in history at 44 days.
FIFA also announced that three separate matches will take place in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, as a tribute to the first-ever World Cup back in 1930.
All six host nations will automatically qualify, which means we'll definitely be seeing Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay in at least the group stages.
In Spain, matches will take place in Barcelona, Bilbao, Las Palmas, Madrid, San Sebastian, Seville, Valencia, Vigo and Zaragoza.
In Portugal, stadiums in Lisbon and Porto have been earmarked, while the games in Morocco will be played in Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat and Tangier.
Plus the three special opening centenary games will be played at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina; the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay; and the Estadio Osvaldo Dominguez Dibb in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Anish Vij