FIFA to investigate World Cup final post-match brawl between Spain and Argentina

– FIFA has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the post-match brawl that erupted after Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in a chaotic World Cup final.

Tensions boiled over after Spain secured their second World Cup title, courtesy of an extra-time winner from winger Ferran Torres.

Argentina had already been reduced to 10 men in the 93rd minute, when Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card.

At the final whistle, Argentinian midfielder Leandro Paredes clashed with several Spanish players, including defender Eric Garcia and midfielder Gavi, triggering a broader brawl between the two sets of players.

The teams exchanged shoves and had to be physically separated, with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni trying to calm down the players at the end of the ill-tempered encounter.

No timeframe was given for the conclusion of the investigation.

Meanwhile, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin refused to attend the World Cup final.

The move followed a series of disagreements between the European governing body and FIFA over disciplinary procedures, refereeing logistics and match operations, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

A central point of contention was FIFA’s decision to suspend the implementation of an automatic one-match ban for United States forward Folarin Balogun following a red card.

The saga became one of the tournament’s biggest controversies, drawing condemnation from UEFA, which said FIFA had “crossed a red line”.

Another reason for Ceferin’s absence was the case of Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan being unable to take part in the World Cup, after being denied entry into the US.

Additionally, European delegates raised concerns regarding the geopolitical management of matches involving Iran, alongside operational adjustments introduced for the tournament.

These included the implementation of mandatory hydration breaks and an extended half-time interval in the final, which FIFA introduced in this tournament.

With the 2026 World Cup now over, South American football’s governing body Conmebol is pushing for the 2030 World Cup to be expanded to a record 64 teams, just a day after the conclusion of the first 48-team tournament in North America.

Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez campaigned for the larger format on social media on July 20, urging FIFA to expand the centenary edition of the tournament.

“The next one is at home! In 2030, the World Cup is coming to Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay,” Dominguez wrote. “It will be a great opportunity for football, to celebrate the World Cup’s centenary with a 64-team tournament.”

Under the existing approved plan, Spain, Portugal and Morocco will serve as primary co-hosts, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will host opening centenary matches to mark 100 years since the inaugural 1930 event in Uruguay. REUTERS, AFP

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