FIFA Disciplines Argentina After Final Chaos
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- FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina after their 1-0 World Cup final loss to Spain in July, appointing a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess altercations between Argentina players, backroom staff, and Spain players at New York New Jersey Stadium.
- Nahuel Molina faces two counts and Leandro Paredes three counts of alleged assault under FIFA disciplinary code article 14, while Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala faces one count of the same charge.
- Molina, Thiago Almada, and Spain midfielder Gavi each face an additional count of alleged unsporting behaviour under article 14, carrying a minimum one-match suspension.
- Assault charges carry a minimum three-match suspension per count, meaning Paredes could face at least nine matches out under FIFA's code.
- Argentina's Football Association faces separate proceedings for breaches across multiple matches under articles 13, 14, 15, and 17, covering discriminatory chants and gestures, late kick-offs, inappropriate messages, and spectators throwing objects.
- Argentina displayed a "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Falklands are Argentine") banner after their semi-final win over England, triggering an article 13 charge for using a sports event for non-sporting demonstrations.
Why it matters: Multiple Argentina players and staff face multi-match bans for post-final altercations — Paredes alone could be suspended for at least nine matches — while the AFA itself confronts broader charges over discriminatory chants, security breaches, and the Falklands banner, meaning key players could be sidelined for upcoming fixtures and the federation could face additional sanctions.
