FIFA opened a disciplinary investigation against the Argentine national team for the serious incidents that occurred at the end of the 2026 World Cup, as reported by the British media Sky Sports News.
The organization will analyze the referee reports and the footage of the match before deciding whether to impose sanctions on several players and members of the Albiceleste's coaching staff.
The final, held on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, ended with a victory for Spain 1-0 in extra time thanks to a goal from Ferrán Torres in the 106th minute.
Spain thus claimed its second World Cup, 16 years after the title in South Africa 2010.
But what happened after the final whistle triggered an institutional crisis for Argentine football.
Paredes, the main defendant
The midfielder Leandro Paredes is the main focus of the investigation. He received a direct red card after the match for violent conduct following a sequence that began when the defender Nahuel Molina took a swing at the Spanish captain Rodri Hernández as he was running to celebrate the title.
In the ensuing scuffle, Paredes grabbed defender Eric García by the neck and, when Gavi approached to defend his teammate, the Argentine knocked him to the ground and pushed him against the grass.
The violent reaction of the soccer player was captured on video and went viral immediately.
The FIFA Disciplinary Code stipulates a minimum of three matches for violent conduct.
However, according to an analysis by Excélsior, the severity of the events could raise Paredes' sanction to between 10 and 12 official matches, a fine of up to 50,000 dollars, and disqualification from almost the entirety of the South American Qualifiers.
Other investigated: from Ayala to Dibu Martínez
The investigation also involves the technical assistant Roberto «Ratón» Ayala, who struck Dani Olmo during the brawl, an incident captured by fans' images.
According to Excélsior, Ayala faces a possible ban of up to a year under the "acts of violence" article of the Disciplinary Code.
Three more players are being investigated ex officio:
-Thiago Almada, caught pushing and stepping on Gavi (risking four to six matches).
-Cristian "Cuti" Romero, for inciting violence and confronting the Spanish coaching staff (two to three matches).
-Emiliano «Dibu» Martínez, for insults directed at the refereeing body and gestures towards the stands (minimum two matches).
The trophy ceremony, also under scrutiny
FIFA will not limit its analysis to physical confrontations. According to Sky Sports, "in addition to confrontations, the Federation will evaluate the behavior of the Argentine delegation during the trophy presentation ceremony, as several players turned their backs while Spain lifted the World Cup, a gesture that has generated significant controversy."
This is, furthermore, the second investigation that the organization has opened against the Albiceleste in just a few days.
The first was initiated after the semifinal against England, on July 16 in Atlanta, when several players displayed a banner with the message “The Falklands are Argentine”, in violation of the regulation that prohibits political messages.
In that case, the most likely sanction is a financial penalty to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) with no sporting consequences.
Paredes then defended the gesture to the BBC: "We did it because we are playing for our entire nation."
Deadlines and possible consequences
The AFA has a regulatory deadline to submit formal appeals and exculpatory videos, and final resolutions are expected before the first week of September.
There is also the risk that the Disciplinary Committee may classify the assaults as "extreme brutality," which would empower FIFA to extend the suspension to all competitions, including club matches, as happened with Luis Suárez in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Paredes does not arrive without a history to this process: at Qatar 2022, he kicked the ball toward the Dutch bench and sparked a massive brawl that led to a disciplinary file by FIFA against the AFA.
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