FIFA investigates Argentina over final altercations as petition nears world record

FIFA has confirmed it will investigate Argentina following altercations at the end of the World Cup final, which Spain won 1-0 in extra time. The governing body’s disciplinary committee has appointed an ethics prosecutor to assess the incidents.

The probe will examine the conduct of players Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes and Thiago Almada, alongside assistant coach Roberto Ayala. Reports indicate Molina appeared to throw a punch at Spain captain Rodri, while Paredes clashed with Eric Garcia.

These actions are being evaluated against charges of violating the basic rules of decent conduct. The ethics prosecutor holds the authority to enforce a global ban if the behaviour is deemed to have brought football or FIFA into disrepute.

Public anger has materialised in a petition titled "Argentina Out", which has gathered 23,316,108 signatures from 170 countries in under a week. The campaign accuses FIFA and match officials of systemic bias toward Lionel Messi and Argentina.

"Over 23 million people from 170 countries signed this petition in under a week," the campaign states, adding that "FIFA ignored us but Spain delivered." The petition argues that the winner was pre-decided, demanding Argentina’s removal to give others a fair chance.

This volume of support places the petition on the verge of breaking a Guinness World Record. The current record of 24,319,181 signatories belongs to the 1997 Jubilee 2000 movement, which campaigned for the cancellation of unpayable debts in the world’s poorest countries.

Mounting institutional scrutiny

The scrutiny over Argentina’s campaign has been mounting for weeks. The team and its supporters have faced criticism for racist chants, a post-semifinal banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" during celebrations against England, and questionable refereeing decisions in the quarter-final against Egypt.

These sporting controversies are compounded by wider institutional concerns surrounding the tournament. Critics have pointed to exorbitant ticket prices, controversial hydration breaks, dubious refereeing, and the relationship between Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino.

For European football stakeholders and investors, the escalating disciplinary and public relations fallout represents a material risk to the sport’s governance model. The outcome of the ethics probe will test FIFA’s ability to enforce its own standards amid unprecedented global scrutiny.