FIFA investigates Argentina players over Falklands banner and World Cup brawl

FIFA has punished several Argentine players after their 2022 World Cup campaign ended in controversy. Giovanni Lo Celso and Nicolas Otamendi held up a banner saying "The Malvinas are Argentine" after Argentina beat England in the semifinal. The Falkland Islands are a long-running territorial dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom. FIFA rules do not allow political messages during competitions, so the Argentine Football Association received a fine. Individual players also faced punishment. Nahuel Molina was banned for seven games and fined £66,000 for fighting. Thiago Almada received a one-match ban and a £22,000 fine. Leandro Paredes faced three separate charges for an assault during the final. Argentina received a similar fine in 2014 for an earlier banner incident.