FIFA Initiates Disciplinary Proceedings Against Argentina

On July 29, 2026, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee initiated proceedings against the Argentine Football Association (AFA) for potential breaches of Article 13(2)(c) (using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature), Article 14(5) (team misconduct), Article 15 (discrimination and racist abuse) and Article 17 (order and security at matches) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

The disciplinary committee noted discriminatory chants and gestures, late kick-offs, failures to comply with match and security protocols, the display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators, and spectators throwing objects. 

Proceedings have also been initiated against Argentine players Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes and Argentine official Roberto Ayala for potential breaches of Article 14(1)(i) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, concerning assault. Molina faces two counts (one completed and one attempted), while Paredes faces three counts and Ayala faces one count. Proceedings have also been opened against Molina, Thiago Almada and Spanish player Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (Gavi) for potential breaches of Article 14(1)(b), concerning unsporting behaviour.

The proceedings follow Argentina’s 2–1 semi-final victory over England. After the victory, Argentine players displayed a banner stating “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”). The sign referred to the dispute over the British overseas territory, and the players later held it up during their celebrations. 

The players face disciplinary action for violating Article 34.3 of the tournament’s regulations, which prohibits players from displaying any political messages or slogans before, during, or after a match.

A similar incident occurred in 2014, when Argentine players displayed the same banner before a friendly match against Slovenia in La Plata. FIFA subsequently fined the AFA 30,000 Swiss francs (approximately £20,000 at the time), finding that the display infringed Article 60 of the FIFA Stadium Safety and Security Regulations (political action) and Article 52 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (team misconduct).

The 2014 sanction provides a direct precedent for FIFA’s treatment of political messaging by the Argentine national team. However, the present proceedings arise under the FIFA Disciplinary Code currently in force and concern several alleged incidents beyond the display of the banner.

As of August 13, 2026, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has not publicly issued a decision in relation to the proceedings against the AFA or the individuals concerned. FIFA said in its disciplinary update that the individuals and the AFA have been given an opportunity to present their positions, after which the Committee will issue its decision in due course.