FIFA has announced an investigation into an on-pitch altercation involving players from Argentina and Spain following the conclusion of their World Cup final match in New Jersey, United States. The incident occurred after Spain secured a 1-0 victory, dethroning the South American team.
The global governing body of football confirmed on Monday that its disciplinary committee is reviewing match reports concerning the multi-player brawl. This altercation marked a contentious end to a heated match that extended into extra time. FIFA stated that its Disciplinary Committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FDC related to the post-match incidents. A report detailing the findings and results of this probe will be released upon its completion.
Post-Match Confrontations and Reactions
The celebrations for Spain, who claimed their second world title, were overshadowed by the melee. Tempers had reportedly flared throughout the match, leading to angry outbursts between both teams and their staff. When the referee signaled the end of extra time, some players from both sides reacted with either celebration or heartbreak, while others engaged in a brawl.
A widely circulated video shows Spanish player Lamine Yamal on his knees in prayer as multiple fights erupted in the background. Argentinian players were seen physically confronting their Spanish opponents. Argentina defender Leandro Paredes reportedly shoved Spain‘s Eric Garcia by the throat. When Spanish substitute Gavi attempted to intervene, Paredes pushed him to the ground. Lionel Scaloni, coach for the 2022 champions, intervened to separate Paredes from the two players. However, Paredes then pushed more Spanish players before a teammate pulled him away.
Despite the tensions, some players from both teams did exchange greetings after the match. Notably, Yamal and Argentinian captain Lionel Messi shared a warm embrace. However, the overall atmosphere between the two finalists remained bitter. During the post-match ceremony, Spain‘s players formed a guard of honor and applauded the Argentinian players as they approached to receive their silver medals. In contrast, Argentina did not reciprocate this gesture, turning their backs on the newly crowned champions as Spain received their gold medals and the winner’s trophy.
Previous Investigations and Player Comments
This incident is not the only matter FIFA is currently investigating involving Argentina. Last week, FIFA announced a probe into Argentinian players for displaying a political banner after their World Cup semifinal victory against England. This action reportedly violated FIFA‘s stadium code of conduct and caused controversy in the United Kingdom regarding the political sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, a self-governing British overseas territory.
Defender Lisandro Martinez and unused substitute Giovani Lo Celso were seen holding a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” meaning “The Falklands are Argentinian,” during their celebrations on the pitch after their comeback win. This display prompted top government officials in the UK to urge FIFA to investigate, which the global governing body confirmed as a “standard procedure.” A FIFA spokesperson stated that the independent disciplinary committee is assessing match reports and relevant circumstances before deciding on further steps based on the FIFA disciplinary code. An update on this previous probe has not yet been provided by FIFA.
In another post-match incident, Nicolás Otamendi of Argentina confronted Rodri of Spain. Otamendi reportedly told Rodri to “Start talking less, idiot. You guys spent the whole week crying.” He continued, “You and Laporte, both of you. That’s not how it’s done. You were crying to the referees all week, my friend.” Rodri, surprised, asked what Otamendi was referring to, to which the Argentinian defender mentioned Aymeric Laporte. Otamendi appeared particularly upset by remarks Laporte had made to a publication before the final, where the Spanish defender commented on Argentina‘s aggressive playing style and the role of officiating in controlling such situations.
It remains uncertain when FIFA’s investigation into the on-pitch brawl will conclude or if any disciplinary action will be taken against the players involved.
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Source: aljazeera.com
