CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) \u2014 FIFA lodged disciplinary charges against two Argentina players Wednesday for striking Spain opponents moments after the World Cup final and charged Argentina\u2019s soccer federation for players showing a political banner about the Falkland Islands after beating England in the semifinals.<\/p>\n
A list of disciplinary cases opened by FIFA against Argentina also include \u201cdiscriminatory chants and gestures\u201d by fans, alleged assault by an assistant coach after the final and \u201cthrowing of objects by spectators in relation to several matches\u201d at the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes faces three charges of assault in the post-game clashes after Spain\u2019s 1-0 win on July 19, defender Nahuel Molina faces two charges and coach Roberto Ayala one.<\/p>\n
Molina and Thiago Almada also are charged with unsporting behavior, with the same charge leveled against Spain player Gavi.<\/p>\n
Argentina\u2019s players carried a banner with the slogan \u201cLas Malvinas son Argentinas\u201d \u2014 \u201cThe Malvinas are Argentine\u201d \u2014 after beating England 2-1 in the semifinals.<\/p>\n
Argentina refers to the Falkland Islands as Islas Malvinas. They were invaded in 1982 under orders from Argentina\u2019s then-military dictatorship, triggering a 10-week war won by Britain.<\/p>\n
British government officials urged FIFA to investigate, and the soccer body said Wednesday the formal charge was \u201cusing a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature.\u201d<\/p>\n
FIFA said all the people charged \u201chave 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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AP soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/a> and AP World Cup coverage<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n