Jude Bellingham was unable to keep his cool after England’s 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina when he was spotted cutting off the back of his opponent’s head after the match.
Overwhelmed by his failure to reach the World Cup final, Bellingham lost his temper and punched Argentine Valentin Barco in the back of the head, sparking a heated altercation between the pair.
Jude Bellingham of England and Lisandro Martinez of Argentina argue. Getty Images
Barco, a substitute for Argentina, was celebrating with his teammates when the incident occurred. He then exchanged a few heated words with the Englishman.
Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi tried to separate the pair before Ollie Watkins and England reserve goalkeeper James Trafford joined in to remove their teammate from the horrific scene.
It is unclear what exactly prompted the pair to take such a step, but they were not the only opponents who clashed with each other.
England international Morgan Rogers was seen in a violent fight alongside Jordan Henderson but referee Ismail Elfat intervened to stop the incident.
Attention then turned to Argentina’s celebrations, with the country raising a political banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (The Falkland Islands belong to Argentina).
The Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory that is still subject to a sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina, with the two countries once going to war over the group of islands in 1982.
In total, 649 Argentine and 255 British soldiers died during this conflict. Britain was ultimately victorious and today has jurisdiction over the land.
Argentina players have used banners with the same message in the past to make their feelings clear, with many claiming their country inherited the islands in 1816.
But the political message used by the players has in the past resulted in them being fined A$38,000 by FIFA.
According to FIFA rules, any political message is prohibited, be it a banner, flag, flyer, clothing or any other paraphernalia received by athletes or fans.
It is likely that the Argentine Football Association will be fined again for its playing group’s political statements and post-match misconduct.
Giovani Lo Celso and Nicolas Otamendi hold the banner. AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell