The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has formally opened an investigation into the Argentine Football Association following a series of incidents, including the display of a Falklands banner at the World Cup.
In both the semi-final and final of the 2026 World Cup, Argentina drew widespread attention not for their play on the pitch, but for their conduct after the final whistle.
Right after losing the final to Spain, Argentine players Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes, alongside team official Roberto Ayala, were involved in shocking moments of aggression that quickly circulated across social media.
Only days earlier, following their semi-final triumph over England, the Argentina squad posed behind a controversial banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates to “The Falklands are Argentine”.
Both occurrences prompted calls for FIFA to intervene and penalize Argentina, with the Disciplinary Committee now confirming active proceedings against the Argentine FA, select players, and a team staff member.
In a statement released to SPORTbible, FIFA confirmed that the investigation covers multiple infractions, beginning with the Falklands banner displayed after the win against England.
The inquiry will assess whether the sign breached article 13 paragraph 2 c) (Using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature).
Other potential violations under review include article 14 paragraph 5 (Team misconduct), article 15 (Discrimination and racist abuse) and article 17 (Order and security at matches) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, addressing discriminatory chants and gestures, delayed kick-offs, failure to follow match and safety regulations, inappropriate messaging from players and supporters, as well as objects thrown by crowd members.
Furthermore, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has launched cases regarding alleged breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 i) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (assault) against Molina (who faces two charges, one committed and one attempted), Paredes (three charges), and Ayala (one charge).
Molina’s charges stem in part from striking Manchester City’s Rodri after full-time, while Paredes grabbed and pushed several Spanish opponents. Molina and teammate Thiago Almada, alongside Spain’s Gavi, are also subject to proceedings over potential breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 b) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (unsporting behaviour).
What punishments could Argentina face?
Under FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, players dismissed for violent conduct face suspensions of “at least three matches”, and although these altercations happened after the match ended, retroactive sanctions can still be handed down.
Punishable misconduct classified under assault encompasses “elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting at or hitting an opponent”, which carries a ban of “at least three matches or an appropriate period of time”.
As for the Argentine FA, the governing body could incur heavy financial penalties for both the post-final violent scenes and the semi-final Falklands banner.
Back in 2014, the Argentine Football Association was fined £20,000 by FIFA after squad members displayed a banner carrying the exact same message seen at this summer’s World Cup.
