CORAL GABLES, Fla. — FIFA opened disciplinary cases against two Argentina players accused of striking Spain opponents shortly after the World Cup final, while Argentina’s soccer federation was charged over a political banner displayed following the semifinal victory against England.
The cases stem from incidents after Spain’s 1-0 win in the July 19 final. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes faces three assault charges connected to the post-game clashes, while defender Nahuel Molina faces two. Assistant coach Roberto Ayala also faces one assault charge over his alleged actions after the match.
Molina and Thiago Almada were separately charged with unsporting behavior. Spain player Gavi faces the same charge.
Argentina charged over Malvinas banner
Another case concerns the banner carried by Argentina’s players after their 2-1 semifinal win against England. It displayed the slogan “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” meaning “The Malvinas are Argentine.”
Argentina calls the Falkland Islands Islas Malvinas. The islands were invaded in 1982 on the orders of Argentina’s military dictatorship at the time, prompting a 10-week war that Britain won.
British government officials asked FIFA to investigate the banner. FIFA charged Argentina’s soccer federation with “using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature.”
Fan conduct included in FIFA cases
FIFA’s list of disciplinary proceedings against Argentina extends beyond the incidents involving players and staff. It also includes allegations of discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters, along with spectators throwing objects in connection with several World Cup matches.
The alleged assault involving Ayala was listed separately among the post-final cases. Together, the proceedings cover conduct following the final, individual unsporting-behavior allegations, supporter actions across multiple games and the political display after the semifinal.
FIFA said every person charged has been given an opportunity to present a position in response to the allegations. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will issue its decisions after considering those submissions.