FIFA opened a disciplinary case against the Argentine Football
Association on Friday for alleged offensive player misconduct and
violations of fair play at the World Cup final, Trend reports citing
Al
Arabiya.
FIFA cited its media and marketing regulations for prosecuting
the case, which appears to relate to a boisterous celebration by
players running through the interview zone after the game on Dec.
18.
Argentina beat France in a penalty shootout after a thrilling
3-3 draw at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
About three hours later, players led by captain Lionel Messi ran
and sang through the official interview area and damaged flimsy
partition walls without stopping to speak to international
broadcast and print media.
The disciplinary charges that include “offensive behavior and
violations of the principles of fair play” did not specify Emiliano
Martinez, who crudely brandished the trophy he received on the
field as the best goalkeeper at the World Cup.
FIFA gave no timetable for the Argentina disciplinary case.
In other cases, FIFA imposed fines on the federations of Serbia,
Mexico and Ecuador for acts of discrimination by fans at the World
Cup.
Serbia was fined 50,000 Swiss francs ($54,000) for offensive fan
chants during a 3-2 loss against Switzerland — which had some
players with ethnic Albanian ties to Kosovo — and team misconduct
for seven players being shown 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 at the opening game against Qatar
reportedly directed at Chile.
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