FIFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against several Argentine players, coaching staff and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) following incidents during and after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The charges stem from the heated aftermath of Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the World Cup final, as well as events surrounding the team’s semifinal win over England and fan behavior throughout the tournament.
Both Paredes and Molina are facing assault charges
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes and defender Nahuel Molina are among the players facing the most serious allegations. Paredes was charged with three counts of assault under Article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code after allegedly grabbing and pushing Spain players, including Eric García and Gavi, during a post-match altercation.Molina was charged with two counts of assault, one completed and one attempted, after allegedly punching Spain captain Rodri. He also faces an additional charge of unsporting behavior. Assistant coach Roberto Ayala was also charged with assault for his involvement in the confrontation, while winger Thiago Almada was cited for unsporting conduct.Spain midfielder Gavi is also under investigation and has been charged with one count of unsporting behavior arising from the same incident.
AFA sued over Falklands banner
Aside from the clashes on the field, FIFA also charged the Argentine Football Association (AFA) after Argentina players displayed a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Malvinas are Argentine”) following their 2-1 semifinal win over England. The slogan refers to the Falkland Islands, known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina. The islands remain the subject of a long-running sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom, making the flag a politically sensitive statement.FIFA said the display amounted to using a sporting event for a non-sporting political demonstration, which is prohibited under its disciplinary regulations.More charges against Argentina The disciplinary case against the AFA goes beyond the flag incident and includes a number of alleged violations recorded during the tournament. The governing body is investigating.
- Accused of discriminatory chants and actions of Argentina supporters.
- Throwing objects at spectators during many matches.
- Alleged failures related to organizational matching and security protocols.
- The team’s misbehavior was linked to a mass confrontation after the World Cup final.
These matters will be examined separately by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
What will happen next?
British government officials urged FIFA to investigate, and the soccer body said Wednesday that the formal charge was “using a sporting event for demonstrations of an unsporting nature.”FIFA said that all the accused persons “have now been given the opportunity to present their position, after which a decision will be issued by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in due course.”If found guilty, the players could face match suspensions and financial penalties. Attacking offenses under FIFA disciplinary regulations can result in bans of at least three matches, while unsporting behavior can result in a minimum suspension of one match.