FIFA charges Argentina for disorder at World Cup

Fifa has opened a disciplinary case against Argentina for their players’ actions during a contentious World Cup quarterfinal match against the Netherlands.

The football governing body cited “order and security at matches” in its disciplinary code for charging the Argentina football federation.

Argentina substitutes and coaches encroached on the field as the game turned confrontational in the late stages as the Dutch scored two late goals to force extra time.

Lionel Messi was amongst a World Cup record 17 players or coaching staff members who were shown yellow cards during or after the game.

Team misconduct charges are routine for collecting five yellow cards in a game and disciplinary cases were opened against both Argentina and the Netherlands, Fifa said.

Both federations could get the same 15,000 Swiss francs fine (about NZ$25,000) that Fifa’s disciplinary panel imposed twice on Saudi Arabia at this World Cup for team misconduct.

A scuffle breaks out between players during the Argentina v Netherlands quarterfinal.

Argentina will likely get a heavier fine for the separate disorder charge.

Fifa gave no timetable for verdicts, which have typically not been published before a team’s next game at this World Cup.

Argentina faces Croatia in the semifinals on Wednesday (NZ time).

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission