Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was seen pushing a Spanish player, leading to a scuffle on the field, while Spain’s Lamine Yamal prayed quietly.
FIFA has announced that it is investigating an on-field altercation between an Argentine and a Spanish player during the final minutes of the World Cup final, when the European champions defeated the South American champions 1-0 in New Jersey.
Soccer’s international governing body confirmed the investigation on Monday, announcing that its disciplinary committee had assessed the match report of the multi-player brawl, which brought an ugly end to a heated match that was decided in extra time.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate possible violations of the FDC regarding the post-match incident,” FIFA said in a statement to Al Jazeera.
The findings of the investigation and a report on the findings will be shared upon completion, the statement added.
Spain’s celebrations after winning their second world title were marred by a brawl, which seemed inevitable given the outbursts of rage and anger between both teams and staff.
When the referee blew the full-time whistle at the end of extra time, several players from both teams fell to the ground in celebration and sadness, while several others were also involved in an ugly scuffle.
A video currently going viral online shows Spanish star Lamine Yamal on his knees, hands raised in a prayer of thanks, while multiple scuffles break out in the background, with Argentine players physically attacking their Spanish opponents.
Argentina defender Leandro Paredes shoved Spain’s Eric Garcia in the throat, and when substitute Spaniard Gabi intervened, Paredes pushed him to the ground.
2022 champions’ coach Lionel Scaloni rushed to the scene and separated Paredes from the two players, but pushed the Spaniard further before the No. 5 was physically pulled back by his teammates.
After the match, several players from both teams greeted each other, most notably a warm embrace between Yamal and Argentina captain Lionel Messi, but the overall atmosphere between the two finalists remained sour.
During preparations for the post-match ceremony stage, the Spanish players formed a guard of honor for the runners-up and applauded the Argentine players as they walked up to receive their silver medals.
However, Argentina did not return the favor and turned its back on the new champion, who handed him the gold medal and the famous trophy.
It is unclear when FIFA’s investigation into the incident will conclude or whether any action will be taken against the players.
FIFA announced last week that it was investigating an Argentine player’s display of a political banner after the World Cup semi-final win over England, which breached the stadium’s code of conduct and irritated Britain over the political sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory off the coast of Argentina.
After Wednesday’s dramatic come-from-behind victory, defender Lisandro Martinez and unused substitute Giovani Lo Celso celebrated on the pitch holding up a banner reading “Argentina, son of Las Malvinas” and waving to fans in the stands.
The move caused an uproar in the UK, with senior government officials asking FIFA to investigate the matter, and the international governing body confirmed FIFA had launched an investigation as “standard procedure”.
“FIFA’s Independent Disciplinary Committee is currently assessing the match report and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on further action under the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” a FIFA spokesperson told Al Jazeera on Thursday.
FIFA has not provided an update on this investigation.
