FIFA Opens Investigation into Argentine Players Over Final World Cup Altercations
The FIFA has opened a procedure against several Argentine players and the Argentine Football Association for the incidents that occurred at the end of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Among the players involved are Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada, the member of the coaching staff Roberto Ayala and the Spanish international Gavi. The decision was made after the designated prosecutor for the FIFA to investigate the altercations presented his report. Paredes faces three charges of alleged aggression, while the FIFA attributes two charges to Nahuel Molina, one for a supposed action and another for an attempted aggression. The left-back of Atlético Madrid is also being investigated for conduct that is contrary to the sport. Roberto Ayala, the assistant to the coach Lionel Scaloni, will have to respond to a possible charge of aggression. In contrast, the procedure opened against Thiago Almada is limited to a suspected conduct that is contrary to the sport. Gavi is the only member of the Spanish selection included in the procedure. The midfielder of FC Barcelona is also attributed a possible conduct that is contrary to the sport for his participation in the confrontations that took place once the match was over. The players will now have a chance to present their arguments and offer their version of the facts. Once the response is studied, the Disciplinary Committee will decide if there are any infractions and, if so, will determine the corresponding sanctions. The FIFA has not announced when it will make a final decision. The investigation does not only focus on the incidents that occurred after the final. The FIFA also opened a procedure against the AFA for possible non-compliance with its Disciplinary Code related to manifestations outside of sports, inappropriate behavior, discrimination and security during matches. The organization will analyze the discriminatory chants and gestures recorded during different Argentine matches, as well as the delays in the start of the matches, the non-compliance with the security protocols and the launch of objects from the stands. The procedure also includes the exhibition of messages considered inappropriate by both players and fans. Among them is the banner with the phrase: «Las Maldivas son argentinas», which several footballers showed after the semifinal match against England.
