Following Spain's victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente has condemned the conduct of the Argentine players as "intolerable and unacceptable." His remarks come as FIFA launches an investigation into the incidents that occurred during and after the match, which Spain won 1-0 in extra time.

FIFA Investigation Underway

FIFA has tasked one of its disciplinary prosecutors to look into the confrontations that took place on the field after the final whistle. Notably, Argentina's Leandro Paredes was involved in a physical altercation with Spain's Eric Garcia and Gavi, while Spain's captain Rodri was struck in the stomach by Argentina's Nahuel Molina during the fracas. De la Fuente, speaking to Spanish public broadcaster TVE, expressed his disapproval of the behavior exhibited by players of such high caliber, stating, "It cannot be allowed." He admitted that he did not witness the incidents at the time, as he was celebrating with others.

Response from Argentina's Coaching Staff

In response to the situation, Argentina's assistant coach Roberto Ayala issued an apology for his own confrontation with Spain's Dani Olmo, characterizing it as a shove rather than a punch. De la Fuente took the opportunity to commend his players for their composure during the tense moments, saying, "I want to highlight our behaviour in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation." He emphasized that the Spain squad maintained professionalism throughout the ordeal.

As the investigation unfolds, FIFA has not provided specific details regarding the scope of the inquiry or whether statements will be collected from Spain's players and staff. The governing body has the authority to initiate disciplinary proceedings and impose sanctions on member associations, clubs, and individuals. However, no timeline has been set for any potential actions, and it remains uncertain when any disciplinary measures might affect the Argentine players, as the team does not have competitive matches scheduled in the near future.