FIFA CHARGES ARGENTINA OVER WORLD CUP FINAL CELEBRATIONS

On Friday, FIFA initiated disciplinary proceedings against the Argentine Football Association for alleged offensive player misconduct and violations of fair play during the World Cup final.

FIFA cited its media and marketing regulations in prosecuting the case, which appears to be about players running through the interview zone after the game on December 18.

Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout following a thrilling 3-3 tie at Qatar’s Lusail Stadium.

Three hours later, players led by captain Lionel Messi ran and sang through the official interview area, destroying flimsy partition walls while speaking to international broadcast and print media.

The disciplinary charges, which included “offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play,” did not name Emiliano Martinez, who crudely displayed the World Cup trophy he received on the field as the best goalkeeper.

FIFA did not provide a timeline for the Argentina disciplinary case.

In other cases, FIFA fined the federations of Serbia, Mexico, and Ecuador for acts of discrimination by World Cup fans.

Serbia was fined 50,000 Swiss francs ($54,000) for offensive fan chants during a 3-2 loss to Switzerland, which included some players with ethnic Albanian ties to Kosovo, as well as team misconduct for seven players receiving yellow cards.

FIFA fined Mexico 100,000 Swiss francs ($108,000) for anti-gay chants by fans at two games, and Ecuador must pay 20,000 Swiss francs ($21,600) for chants allegedly directed at Chile during the opening game against Qatar.