FIFA announced on Wednesday the opening of disciplinary proceedings against the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and several members of its national team, following a tempestuous World Cup campaign that concluded with a charged aftermath to the final in New Jersey. The world governing body’s cases focus on two distinct episodes: a violent melee between Argentine and Spanish players after the title decider, and the display of a politically charged banner referencing the Falkland Islands after the semifinal victory over England.

The post‑final investigation centres on Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, who faces three counts of assault, and defender Nahuel Molina, who is charged with two counts – one completed and one attempted. Assistant coach Roberto Ayala must also answer an assault charge, while Molina and forward Thiago Almada are accused of unsporting behaviour. Spain’s Gavi, for his part, faces a single count of unsporting conduct. The charges arise from an extensive report submitted by a FIFA‑appointed disciplinary and ethics prosecutor, which documented how players and staff from both sides clashed on the pitch moments after Spain’s 1‑0 extra‑time victory on 19 July. Video footage captured Molina striking Spain’s Rodri in the stomach, Paredes seizing Eric García by the throat and later shoving Gavi to the ground, and Ayala confronting Dani Olmo.

In parallel, the AFA is under scrutiny for its team’s celebration after the 2‑1 semifinal defeat of England. Players collected a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” – a slogan asserting Argentina’s sovereignty claim over the British‑administered Falkland Islands – and paraded it on the pitch. FIFA’s disciplinary code prohibits using a sports event for demonstrations of a non‑sporting nature, and British officials publicly urged the body to investigate. The AFA previously received a fine for an identical banner in 2014. The federation case also sweeps in a broader catalogue of alleged infractions during the tournament: discriminatory chants and gestures by fans, repeated delays to kick‑off, failure to comply with match and security protocols, and the throwing of objects from the stands during several Argentina fixtures.

All of the individuals and the AFA have now been notified and given the opportunity to present their positions. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will issue its rulings at a later date. Potential sanctions for players range from a minimum one‑match ban for unsporting conduct to at least three matches for assault, while the federation could face fines and other measures. The decisions are likely to have immediate implications for Argentina’s forthcoming international commitments.