Argentine media have described their national football team as 'polite and respectful' despite widespread global backlash following a shameful brawl at the end of the World Cup final against Spain. FIFA has launched an investigation into the incidents that marred the match at MetLife Stadium.
What Happened in the Final
Spain defeated Argentina to win the World Cup, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal. As the final whistle blew, several Argentina players initiated physical altercations with their Spanish counterparts. Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina were seen striking Spanish players, and Enzo Fernandez was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle on Pau Cubarsi. Initially, commentators reported that Paredes had been sent off, but that message was later retracted.
Argentine Media's Response
Despite the ugly scenes, Argentine newspaper Clarin published a report praising the team's conduct. It stated: 'As never before, the Argentine team displayed, both on and off the field, a range of values that are rare these days. From the pitch and beyond, they gave several lessons and showed the face of a country that we would like to see away from the football pitch.' The report added: 'A team that was polite and respectful, despite a few unfortunate isolated incidents in the last match; that didn't speak ill of its rivals or try to justify its own mistakes by blaming others.'
UK Media and Pundits React
The assessment of Argentina's conduct differs sharply in the UK. Speaking after Paredes' dismissal, Wayne Rooney said: 'Does it surprise you? It doesn't surprise me. We've seen this with Argentina before. It's just not the reaction you want. We've seen some of the reaction after knocking England out in the last round. That's just sad. If you lose a game of football, be graceful and get out of there. It's really poor from them.'
Alan Shearer was equally damning, commenting: 'Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone's face. He went for them. There is no place or space for that. We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible.'
Gary Neville also weighed in, saying: 'They're very competitive and I love that element of them, but (Paredes) has just been a disgrace for the last couple of games, and why the referees have allowed him to continue doing what he is doing.'
FIFA Investigation and Potential Punishments
FIFA has launched an investigation into the brawl, with reports suggesting that Argentina could face significant sanctions. The governing body has already issued a statement regarding the incidents, and three punishments are reportedly under consideration, including fines, suspensions, and potential point deductions. The final referee also made two errors during the match, which FIFA has been made aware of.
