FIFA has lodged disciplinary charges against two Argentina players for striking Spain opponents moments after the World Cup final and have charged Argentina’s soccer federation for players showing a political banner about the Falkland Islands after beating England in the semifinals.
A list of disciplinary cases FIFA has opened against Argentina also include “discriminatory chants and gestures” by fans, alleged assault by an assistant coach after the final and “throwing of objects by spectators in relation to several matches” at the World Cup.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes faces three charges of assault over the post-game clashes after Spain’s 1-0 win on July 19, defender Nahuel Molina faces two charges and coach Roberto Ayala one.
Molina and Thiago Almada also are charged with unsporting behaviour. The same charge has been levelled against Spain player Gavi.
Argentina’s players carried a banner with the slogan “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, meaning “The Malvinas are Argentine”, after beating England 2-1 in the semifinals.
Argentina refers to the Falkland Islands as Islas Malvinas. The islands were invaded in 1982 under orders from Argentina’s then-military dictatorship, triggering a 10-week war won by Britain.
British government officials urged FIFA to investigate the display of the banner, and the soccer body said on Wednesday the formal charge was “using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature.”
FIFA said all the people charged had “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”.
AP
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