FIFA investigates Argentina and Spain World Cup final fight

FIFA is investigating a fight that broke out between Argentina and Spain’s players at the World Cup final.

FIFA investigates Argentina and Spain World Cup final fight

FIFA is investigating a fight that broke out between Argentina and Spain’s players at the World Cup final.

Spain beat Argentina 1-0 to win their second men’s World Cup.

It’s the second investigation the Argentine team faces from this tournament, after players held up a political banner on the pitch following their defeat of England.

Here’s what to know.

The final

Spain beat Argentina 1-0 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring the only goal in the 106th minute.

It was Spain’s second men’s World Cup title, after their 2010 win, and denied Argentina back-to-back titles following their 2022 triumph.

Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off late in normal time after receiving a second yellow card.

Incident

The incident under investigation broke out at full-time during Spain’s celebrations.

Video captured Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes with a hand at the throat of Spain defender Eric García, then pushing over Spain midfielder Gavi.

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Argentina defender Nahuel Molina also confronted Spain captain Rodri, and Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala appeared to land a blow on Spain midfielder Dani Olmo.

Paredes was reported to have initially been shown a red card but it is not on the official record, leaving Fernández as the only player formally sent off.

Both Paredes and Molina could still face bans.

FIFA said it had appointed a prosecutor to examine possible breaches of its disciplinary code.

Other case

It is the second FIFA investigation involving Argentina from this World Cup.

After beating England in the semifinals, several Argentina players held up a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (The Falklands are Argentine).

The South Atlantic islands are controlled by Britain but claimed by Argentina. Argentina invaded them in 1982 before British forces regained control following a short war. Residents of the Falklands overwhelmingly voted to remain a UK territory in a 2013 referendum.

FIFA bans political messaging inside stadiums.

The UK Government called for the team to be sanctioned over the incident.

No timeline has been set for either case.

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