Fifa opens disciplinary proceedings against Argentina

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Fifa has begun disciplinary proceedings against Argentina following incidents connected to their World Cup final defeat by Spain and alleged conduct during the wider tournament. The action follows Argentina’s 1-0 loss in July at the New York New Jersey Stadium, where confrontations involving Argentina players, staff and Spain players broke out after the final whistle.

According to the BBC, Fifa had appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor last week to review the post-match events. Acting on that recommendation, the governing body will investigate Argentina players Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes, along with assistant coach Roberto Ayala, over alleged assault under Fifa’s disciplinary code. Molina is also facing a possible unsporting behaviour charge, while Argentina’s Thiago Almada and Spain midfielder Gavi are accused of the same type of breach.

The BBC notes that Fifa’s rules carry minimum sanctions of one match for unsporting conduct and three matches for assault for players and officials found responsible. The Argentinian Football Association is also subject to proceedings over alleged breaches in several matches, including rules on non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, discrimination and racist abuse, and match order and security.

The case also covers reported discriminatory chants and gestures, delayed kick-offs, inappropriate messages displayed by the team and spectators, and objects thrown by spectators. BBC Sport adds that Argentina players celebrated their semi-final win over England with a banner supporting Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands, reading in Spanish that the islands are Argentine.