FIFA hits Argentina with World Cup charges for scuffle, political banner

FIFA lodged disciplinary charges against two Argentina players Wednesday for striking Spain opponents moments after the World Cup final and charged Argentina's soccer federation for players showing a political banner about the Falkland Islands after beating England in the semifinals. A list of disciplinary cases opened by FIFA against Argentina also include "discriminatory chants and gestures" by fans, alleged assault by an assistant coach after the final and "throwing of objects by spectators in relation to several matches" at the World Cup. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes faces three charges of assault in the post-game clashes after Spain's 1-0 win in the final on July 19, defender Nahuel Molina faces two charges and coach Roberto Ayala one.

Molina and Thiago Almada also are charged with unsporting behavior, with the same charge leveled against Spain player Gavi. Argentina's players carried a banner with the slogan "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" — "The Malvinas are Argentine" — after beating England 2-1 in the semifinals . Argentina refers to the Falkland Islands as Islas Malvinas.

They were invaded in 1982 under orders from Argentina's then-military dictatorship, triggering a 10-week war won by Britain. British government officials urged FIFA to investigate, and the soccer body said Wednesday the formal charge was "using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature." FIFA said all the people charged "have now been provided with the opportunity to present their position, following which a decision will be issued by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in due course." Russia charges Telegram founder with aiding terrorism, seeks his arrest 4 women accuse U.S. actor Jared Leto of committing sexual offenses when they were teens; he denies it Chiefs assistant coach Eric Bieniemy's son charged in shooting of his mother Savannah Guthrie asks alleged kidnappers to "do the right thing" in new video How Wikipedia Turned a World Cup Controversy Into an Antisemitic Conspiracy Theory Tyler Cowen: Is Mexico Safe Enough for the World Cup?