FIFA announces disciplinary proceedings after World Cup brawl
FIFA has announced disciplinary proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association, three Argentine players and an Argentine official and one Spanish player after Spain and Argentina shared a physical exchange after the World Cup Final earlier this month, according to FIFA.
The international football organization, and organizers of the World Cup, shared the update on Wednesday in a statement posted to its website.
FIFA listed a number of potential rule infractions it is investigating against the Argentinian Football Association throughout the tournament, including "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 of the representative team of Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2026."
Prior to the final, after England and Argentina's semifinal match, which Argentina ultimately won, Argentine players were seen holding up a banner with a message saying the Falkland Islands belonged to Argentina, according to The Athletic. The Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Territory.
FIFA also introduced disciplinary proceedings against individual players from Spain and Argentina and an Argentine official, for potential infractions related to an on-field brawl immediately after the World Cup Final on July 19.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 following a thrilling extra time goal by Spain's Ferran Torres
After the match, as Spain celebrated, a brawl ensued as Argentina and Spain players were involved in a physical altercation on the pitch.
In its statement on Wednesday, FIFA said it has issued proceedings against Argentine players Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes and Argentine official Roberto Ayala for potential assault.
Proceedings have also been opened against Argentina's Molina and Thiago Almada and Spain's Pablo Martín Páez Gavira for "unsporting behavior."
FIFA said the respondents of the proceedings "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."
ABC News reached out to the Spanish Football Association and the Argentinian Football Association for comment.
