FIFA has initiated an investigation into the altercation that occurred following the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. This announcement was made on Monday, following a review of match reports related to the final.

Details of the Incident

According to FIFA's statement, the Disciplinary Committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to look into possible violations of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) concerning the post-match events. The brawl involved Argentina's Leandro Paredes, who was seen grabbing Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat and pushing Gavi to the ground. Additionally, Nahuel Molina appeared to strike Rodri, while Argentina's assistant coach, Roberto Ayala, was reportedly seen hitting Dani Olmo.

Initially, it was reported that referee Slavko Vincic had issued a red card to Paredes after the match concluded. However, FIFA later clarified to BBC Sport that no disciplinary action had been documented against him at that time. The confrontation escalated when Molina confronted Rodri, who engaged in a verbal exchange with his former Manchester City teammate, Nicolas Otamendi.

Political Controversy

FIFA's investigation also extends to Argentina's behavior during their semifinal win over England. After that match, players celebrated with a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” referring to the Falkland Islands, which are administered by Britain. This display, which was held by Lisandro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso, drew criticism from British officials, who urged FIFA to investigate whether the players breached regulations against political messages in official competitions.

FIFA's rules prohibit political statements from players and teams, which could lead to fines or suspensions as part of the ongoing investigation. The scrutiny surrounding both the post-final brawl and the political banner highlights the challenges FIFA faces in maintaining discipline and neutrality in international football.