FIFA is being asked to retroactively disqualify Argentina from the World Cup due to the country’s bizarre behavior in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s final. The defending champions narrowly lost to Spain, with Ferran Torres scoring in extra time to stop Argentina from winning back-to-back titles. The game wasn’t particularly memorable, but the scene that unfolded immediately after the final whistle was something else entirely.
Leandro Paredes could not accept Argentina’s fall at the final hurdle and began punching and kicking the Spanish players as they sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate. He later released a lengthy statement on Instagram in which he failed to apologize, but in which he did not mention his shameful actions. FIFA has since confirmed that it is investigating what happened, which could result in fines and player suspensions.
However, there are growing calls for Argentina to be stripped of the final World Cup place and England promoted to second place.
The majority of Express Sport readers believe this is a fitting punishment. In our latest poll, an overwhelming 98 percent of more than 30,000 respondents said they wanted Argentina to be removed retroactively.
This is an unprecedented move with what could become the biggest controversy in soccer history. No team has ever been disqualified from a World Cup.
It seems highly unlikely that FIFA will make that decision, given the scale of the disruption it would cause.
But it would be surprising if Argentina escaped with impunity. An investigation is also underway into the Falkland Islands flag that the players raised after their semi-final victory over England.
Article 13 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code sets out the principles of aggressive conduct and fair play, and this is most applicable when it comes to post-match violence.
The actions of Argentina’s players and staff could be judged as “violating basic rules of decent behavior” and “conduct that brings the sport of soccer and FIFA into disrepute.”
The Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor will have the power to enforce the ban globally, taking into account “both aggravating and mitigating circumstances.”
This clause was used by FIFA to accuse former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales of kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the last Women’s World Cup.
In a similar ruling, Luis Suarez was suspended from football for four months for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during a 2014 World Cup match.
It remains to be seen how FIFA will respond to Argentina, but FIFA continues to investigate what happened as it considers possible sanctions.
