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 aftermath of Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, as well as the events surrounding the team’s semi-final win over England and the behavior of fans throughout the tournament.
Paredes and Molina are accused of assault
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes and defender Nahuel Molina are among the players facing the most serious accusations. 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 the post-match altercation.Molina was charged with two counts of assault, one completed and one attempted, after allegedly hitting Spain captain Rodri. He also faces an additional charge of unsportsmanlike conduct. Assistant coach Roberto Ayala was also charged with assault for his involvement in the clash, while winger Thiago Almada was cited for unsportsmanlike conduct.Spanish midfielder Gavi is also under investigation and has been charged with one count of unsportsmanlike conduct stemming from the same incident.
The AFA charged over the Falklands flag
Beyond the clashes on the pitch, FIFA also charged the Argentine Football Association (AFA) after Argentina players displayed a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Malvinas are Argentines”) following their 2-1 semi-final 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 claims that the display is equivalent to using a sporting event for a non-sporting political demonstration, which is prohibited by its disciplinary regulations.Additional charges against Argentina The disciplinary case against the AFA extends beyond the banner incident and includes several alleged violations recorded during the tournament. The government agency investigates:
- Allegedly discriminatory chants and gestures by Argentine supporters.
- Throwing of objects by spectators during many matches.
- Attached failures regarding match organization and security protocols.
- The misconduct of the team related to the mass confrontation after the final of the World Cup.
These matters will be examined separately by the FIFA Disciplinary Commission.
What could happen next?
British government officials urged FIFA to investigate, and the football body said on Wednesday that the formal charge was “using a sporting event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature”.FIFA said that all persons charged “have now had 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. Assault offenses under FIFA’s disciplinary regulations can carry bans of at least three matches, while unsporting behavior can lead to a minimum one-match suspension.