FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina over potential breaches of multiple laws during the World Cup.
The breaches includethe use of discriminatory chants and gestures, team misconduct, security and protocol failures and inappropriate messages being displayed – namely the banner that the players held saying ‘The Falklands are Argentine’ following the 2-1 semi-final win over England.
The banner is a potential breach of article 13 paragraph 2 c) which states that a sporting event cannot be used for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature.
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Several players are also subject to disciplinary proceedings for the angry scenes at full-time after Argentina lost the World Cup final 1-0 to Spain.
Leonardo Paredes, who grabbed and pushed Spain players, faces charges for three breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 i) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (assault).
Nahuel Molina, who struck Rodri at full-time, Thiago Almada and coach Roberto Ayala have all had proceedings opened against them.
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Spain midfielder Gavi has also had separate proceedings brought against him for ‘unsporting behaviour’.
‘Had Argentina won the World Cup, the Falklands banner may have reappeared’
Sky Sports News’ chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol:
“This is all in relation to two incidents involving the behaviour of Argentina players and their fans during the World Cup. The first was the World Cup semi-final between Argentina and England in Atlanta, and the second was at the World Cup final in New Jersey against Spain.
“At the end of the England game, their players produced a banner about the Falkland Islands, proclaiming that the Falkland Islands belonged to Argentina.
“The banner was taken to the stadium by some of Argentina’s supporters and at the end of the game, some of the players got hold of the banner, displayed it in front of the Argentina supporters and also then placed it on the pitch for a good few minutes.
“After a few minutes, that banner was then folded up by the players and given to a member of their backroom staff, and it was taken away with them.
“I think there’s a very good chance that if Argentina had won the final, they would have produced that banner again.
“FIFA now open disciplinary proceedings against them over that because, of course, it’s against FIFA’s laws to make any political statements at football games.
“They’ve also been looked at for racist abuse. Also late kick-offs – so turning up late for the game – and also a failure to comply with security protocols. Throwing objects, displaying inappropriate messages by the team and fans.
“Going on to the scenes that we saw during the game against Spain, and also after the game, where there were some disgraceful scenes and behaviour because basically the Argentina players didn’t react very well to losing that World Cup final.
“FIFA are looking into the behaviour of Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and also an Argentina coach, Roberto Ayala, and also they’re looking into one Spain player, Gavi, for allegations of unsporting behaviour.
“FIFA, on a day when they are in the news for very controversial reasons, perhaps releasing some news that maybe will stop us talking about Gianni Infantino’s plans to sell off parts of the World Cup and get us to talk about football behaviour in Argentina players and fans.”
