Argentina could be banned and fined as FIFA investigates ugly scenes after World Cup final defeat to Spain

Spain won the final 1–0 after extra time to secure their second World Cup title. Argentina were reduced to 10 players in the 93rd minute when Enzo Fernandez received his second yellow card for a late challenge on Pau Cubarsi.

Lionel Scaloni’s team held on for the rest of normal time but were eventually beaten by Torres. Tempers ran high after the final whistle as Spanish substitutes and staff entered the field to celebrate.

FIFA has now launched a formal investigation into the conduct of Argentina’s players and officials. Its Disciplinary Committee has investigated preliminary match reports and appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate possible violations of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

No Argentine players or staff members have yet been officially charged. FIFA has also not announced when the investigation will be completed or when potential sanctions might be revealed.

Several members of the Argentina camp are under investigation, but FIFA must first study the available evidence before deciding whether to launch formal disciplinary proceedings.

Subsequent footage showed Molina swinging at Spain captain Rodri, while Spanish substitutes ran onto the pitch to celebrate. Rodri immediately clashed with the Argentina defender, with players from both teams gathering around him.

Paredes then became involved in separate confrontations with Eric Garcia and Gavi.

The Argentine midfielder appeared to make strong contact around the neck of Garcia before turning towards Gavi. The Barcelona midfielder was later wrestled or pushed to the ground as the confrontation escalated.

Thiago Almada was also embroiled in the controversy surrounding Gavi, although his exact role is less clear. Being present inside a melee will not automatically constitute a disciplinary offence. FIFA must determine whether each individual was attacking, obstructing another player, attempting to separate the participants or simply getting caught up in the chaos.

Lisandro Martínez and Nicolas Otamendi This was followed by confrontations, but there is currently less clarity on whether his actions will form part of formal disciplinary proceedings.

Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala is another man who is understood to be under investigation after footage showed him attacking Dani Olmo during the chaos. Ayala’s status as a member of Scaloni’s coaching staff would not protect him from punishment. FIFA’s misconduct provisions apply to team officials as well as players.

Initial reports suggested that Paredes was shown a red card after the final whistle. However, no dismissal was officially recorded against him. This means Paredes is not currently given an automatic one-match suspension due to the controversy. Any punishment will be handed down retroactively after FIFA has completed its investigation.

The situation of Enzo Fernandez is different. His dismissal occurred during the match and automatically led to a suspension from Argentina’s next official international match. That sanction is separate from the post-match investigation.

Unless FIFA finds evidence that Enzo was involved in additional misconduct after leaving the pitch, he is unlikely to be one of the central figures in the dispute proceedings.

The appointed prosecutor may also request written explanations from the Argentine Football Association, the players and staff members involved. Individuals may be interrogated, while additional documents and details of witnesses may also be sought.

FIFA does not require guilt to be proven beyond reasonable doubt, as would be required in a criminal case. Instead its disciplinary bodies consider the available evidence and decide whether they are satisfied that an offense has been committed.

Reports submitted by referees and match officials are generally considered accurate unless concrete contrary evidence is presented. FIFA can also retroactively penalize serious misconduct when the referee did not see the incident or was unable to take action during the match.

This is particularly relevant to the alleged actions involving Molina, Paredes and Ayala. No one will be protected simply because the referee failed to issue an immediate red card.

The offense also includes a minimum suspension of three matches or an appropriate period of suspension. The code identifies punching, kicking, elbowing, biting, spitting or hitting another person as possible forms of assault.

If FIFA concludes that Molina intentionally attacked Rodri, the incident could fall under direct assault or violent conduct. Due to this he will have to face suspension of at least three matches. Even if FIFA decides that Molina’s clear swing missed or that he made only limited contact, he will not necessarily escape punishment. Attempted violation may also be sanctioned.

Paredes could face even more serious punishment if FIFA considers his confrontations with Garcia and Gavi as separate offensive acts. A three-match suspension for violent conduct is only the minimum, not the maximum. FIFA may increase the punishment after considering the seriousness of the offense, the number of incidents, whether the player initiated or escalated the confrontation and whether there were any aggravating or mitigating circumstances.

Confirmation of repeated violent conduct would result in a possible suspension of four or five matches for Argentina. FIFA may also investigate whether a player has acted as an instigator or accomplice. Players who encouraged, intensified or actively participated in a collision may be penalized, even if they did not throw an explicit punch or kick.

FIFA can suspend an official for a certain number of matches or for a certain period of time. During that suspension, Ayala may be banned from entering the dressing room, the tunnel or the technical area.

They may also be prevented from interacting with Argentina’s players or coaching staff before and during the match. any punishment will apply argentina Unless FIFA imposes a more serious sanction of a ban on all football-related activities, fixtures rather than its wider commercial activity. Such a blanket punishment is possible under FIFA rules, but is highly unlikely based on the currently known evidence.

Also read: Enzo Fernandez breaks silence after World Cup final heartbreak but makes no mention of red card that cost Argentina

It may also be held jointly responsible for fines imposed on Argentine players or members of the coaching staff. The most realistic association-level sanction would be a financial penalty. If FIFA determines that Argentina’s collective conduct amounts to team misconduct it can also issue a warning, reprimand or other disciplinary measures.

In more serious cases, FIFA has the right to order the partial closure of stadiums for future international matches. However, such a sentence would depend on the number of persons accused, the seriousness of the incidents, and Argentina’s overall assessment of responsibility.

There’s no real possibility spainArgentina’s victory is being overturned, the final is being replayed, or Argentina is being stripped of its runner-up spot. The collision had no impact on the competitive outcome of the match, which had already been decided. The real threat to Argentina lies in individual suspensions and financial sanctions.

If convicted of violent conduct or assault, Paredes and Molina face a possible ban of at least three games. A longer suspension remains possible if FIFA finds repeated aggression or other aggravating factors. Ayala could be removed from Argentina’s technical field for several matches, while the Argentine Football Association could receive a substantial fine and additional disciplinary measures. However, until FIFA issues its formal charges, the case will remain an investigation rather than a verdict.