Fifa to investigate potential disciplinary breaches by Argentina in final

After reviewing the match commissioner's report, Fifa decided to appoint a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to probe potential breaches of its disciplinary code.

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes appeared to throw punches at members of the Spain squad as they celebrated their victory on the pitch. Pic: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images

Fifa has launched an investigation into potential disciplinary breaches by Argentina following their World Cup final defeat to Spain.

Following the final whistle in New York, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes appeared to throw punches at members of the Spain squad as they celebrated their victory on the pitch.

The match commissioner’s report was reviewed by Fifa, which has now decided to appoint a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to probe potential breaches of its disciplinary code.

The South Americans were again criticised over their physical approach, as they were in their semi-final victory over England, with Enzo Fernandez sent off for two bookable offences.

“Following an assessment of the relevant match reports for the Fifa World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, and in line with article 36 of the Fifa disciplinary code (FDC), the Fifa disciplinary committee has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FDC with regard to the post-match incidents,” a statement read.

“Further details will be communicated by the Fifa disciplinary committee once the prosecutor’s report has been completed.” 

The Press Association understands Paredes was not sent off in the ugly ending to Sunday’s match, so any suspension or sanction for him would arise from any retrospective investigation that may be opened by the Fifa disciplinary committee.

It is still not known whether the committee is investigating Argentina players for holding up a banner proclaiming Argentinian sovereignty over the Falkland Islands after the win over England.

That action appeared to be in direct contravention of Article 34.3 of the tournament regulations. The Argentinian Football Association was fined over the same act following a 2014 friendly against Slovenia, but Uefa has previously taken stronger action for a similar offence, imposing one-match bans on Spain’s Rodri and Alvaro Morata after chanting about Spain’s claims to Gibraltar after winning Euro 2024.

Fifa has previously threatened a hard line on political gestures, with the English FA warned Harry Kane would face sporting sanctions starting with a yellow card if he wore a ‘OneLove’ rainbow-coloured armband at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality is criminalised.