FIFA launch World Cup brawl investigation as punishments clear and purple card cancelled
Argentina are set to slapped with severe punishments for their disgraceful World Cup final brawl after the sore losers lost to Spain and lost the plot on Sunday.
FIFA has confirmed it has opened an investigation into the shocking post-match brawl, assigning a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to scrutinise the unsavoury scenes, as the Spanish team started to celebrate their second World Cup win, only to be set upon by some of the Argentina squad who threw punches at the winners.
Numerous Argentina players and coaching staff members could face harsh penalties if found culpable for the incident that shamed football, while the Argentine Football Association (AFA) also stand to receive another financial fine. The role of the officials in the chaos will also be examined.
There was a brawl after the full-time whistle in the World Cup final(Image: 2026 Chris Brunskill/Fantasista)
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The clash erupted just after the final whistle as Spain’s squad rejoiced in their World Cup victory. Defender Nahuel Molina, midfielder Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all got embroiled in the fracas, reports Wales Online.
Initial reports indicated that Paredes had been given a straight red card by referee Slavko Vincic for grabbing Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat.
However, this expulsion was later erased from FIFA’s official records, with the governing body reportedly confirming to BBC Sport that no disciplinary action had actually been taken against the midfielder in the aftermath of the match.
Leandro Paredes’ red card has disappeared from FIFA’s records(Image: Ricardo Nogueira/SPP/Shutterstock)
Argentina had already ended the match with 10 players after Enzo Fernandez was shown a red card for a second bookable offence in extra time. “Following an assessment of the relevant match reports for the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
“The FIFA disciplinary committee has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FIFA disciplinary code with regard to the post-match incidents,” a statement read
By appointing a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor, FIFA has indicated that it is contemplating more severe violations than mere violent conduct.
Argentina had pushed the boundaries of the law throughout the game(Image: Getty)
The investigation will scrutinise whether the behaviour of Argentina’s players and staff violated Article 13 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, which pertains to offensive behaviour and the principles of fair play.
This includes actions considered to breach “the basic rules of decent conduct” or behaviour that tarnishes the reputation of football or FIFA.
The prosecutor will evaluate both aggravating and mitigating factors before making recommendations, with FIFA having the authority to impose global suspensions if deemed necessary.
FIFA previously invoked the same regulation when it initiated disciplinary action against former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales after he kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final triumph over England.
Rubiales was slapped with a three-year ban from all football-related activities in 2023, and his subsequent appeal against the sanction was unsuccessful.
Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez also received a four-month suspension from all football-related activities after biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup.
Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s World Cup win(Image: Noe Llamas/SPP/REX/Shutterstock)
The ban meant that the then-Liverpool forward had to sit out the first nine matches of the Premier League season. Argentinian players found guilty could now be looking at hefty suspensions.
This latest probe comes as Argentina were already potentially facing penalties over incidents following their World Cup semi-final triumph over England.
After defeating England 2-1, several Argentinian players celebrated with a banner stating “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”), a political message supporting Argentina’s long-standing claim to the Falkland Islands.
FIFA had already initiated disciplinary proceedings over this incident, with AFA officials anticipating a fine of $20,000.
Players including Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, former Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo Celso and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez could also potentially face individual sanctions for displaying the banner.
