Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina over the Falklands Islands banner displayed by several players after their World Cup semi-final win against England in Atlanta. The governing body also charged multiple players over chaotic scenes following the final defeat to Spain.
Falklands banner prompts political debate
As Argentina celebrated reaching the World Cup final with a 2-1 victory over Thomas Tuchel's side, several players displayed a sign proclaiming "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" – the Malvinas are Argentinian – in reference to the British overseas territory in the south Atlantic. The dispute over the islands, ruled by Britain since 1833, led to a 74-day conflict in 1982, during which more than 900 people – 649 Argentinians and 255 Britons – died.
Fifa's disciplinary code prohibits "using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature". In response, a spokesperson for then UK prime minister Keir Starmer said: "The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are." Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House Fifa taskforce, defended Argentina's players, stating the US believed in free speech.
This is not the first such incident; in 2014 Fifa fined Argentina £20,000 for a larger banner held up by players before a friendly with Slovenia in La Plata.
Full disciplinary charges against Argentina
Fifa's full charge sheet against the Argentinian Football Association includes "discriminatory chants and gestures, late kick-offs, failure to comply with match and security protocols, the display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators and the throwing of objects by spectators in relation to several matches".
Players investigated for final brawl
Several players are under investigation for the chaotic scenes after Argentina's 1-0 extra-time defeat by Spain in the final. As Spain attempted to celebrate, altercations broke out across the pitch at New York New Jersey Stadium. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, seen wrestling Spain's Eric García to the ground, faces three counts of assault under the Fifa disciplinary code. Defender Nahuel Molina faces two counts of assault (one completed and one attempted) and one count of unsporting behaviour. Assistant coach Roberto Ayala faces one count of assault, and unused substitute Thiago Almada one count of unsporting behaviour. Spain's Gavi also faces an unsporting behaviour charge.
"In accordance with the Fifa disciplinary code, the respondents have now been provided with the opportunity to present their position, following which a decision will be issued by the Fifa disciplinary committee in due course," said Fifa in a statement.
