FIFA investigates 'offensive behaviour' by Argentinian team after World Cup

FIFA has launched an investigation into alleged “offensive behaviour” by Argentina in the Qatar World Cup final against France.This comes after Argentina's penalty shootout win over Les Bleus, with reports emerging around goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez celebrating with the Argentine team in the dressing room where they made fun of French football player Kylian Mbappé. 

The entire team were filmed singing "a minute's silence for...", with Martinez shouting in between: "...for Mbappe who is dead!", according to GOAL. 

Martinez later explained the reason behind his action. He said he did it because the French booed him and pride does not work with him, according to SPORTbible. He also said the Argentinian team suffered a lot and they thought they were in control but The French team managed to come back. "It was a very complicated game. Our destiny was to suffer," he added. 

A month after the match, The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association due to potential breaches of articles 11 (Offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play) and 12 (Misconduct of players and officials) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. It is also looking at "article 44 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Regulations in conjunction with the Media and Marketing Regulations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, during the Argentina v. France final,” FIFA’s official statement reads.

The committee has also fined three Football Associations over actions during the group stage. The Ecuadorian Football Association was sanctioned with a fine of CHF$20,000 (HK$168K) and a partial stadium closure at the next official FIFA match to be played at “A” level by its men’s national team for breaches related to chants by Ecuadorian supporters during the Qatar v. Ecuador match.

The Mexican Football Association was fined CHF$100,000 (HK$84K) and one match in a FIFA competition to be played behind closed doors by its men’s national team (suspended for a probationary period) for breaches related to chants by Mexican supporters during the Mexico v. Poland and Saudi Arabia v. Mexico matches.

The Football Association of Serbia was punished with a fine of CHF$50,000 (HK$422K) and a partial stadium closure (25% of the seats closed) at the next official FIFA match to be played at “A” level by its men’s national team for breaches related to chants by Serbian supporters and team misconduct during the Serbia v. Switzerland match.

Argentina has defeated France on penalties after a 3-3 draw at Lusail Stadium in Qatar in December 2022. Argentianian team's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved a penalty from Kingsley Coman in the shoot-out, while Aurelien Tchouameni also missed the target after being distracted by the stopper.

Sponsors of Argentinian Football Association for FIFA World Cup 2022 include Adidas, Coca Cola, Chinese coffee chains Cotti Coffee, Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group, NetEase Media and German beer brand Schneider. 

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