Argentina’s conduct during and after the World Cup final has come under scrutiny as a publication in the South American country praised the team’s efforts as “polite and respectful”.
As FIFA announced an investigation into several incidents after the match, it emerged that the two former teammates were involved in a tense altercation.
Nicolas Otamendi accused Spanish captain Rodri of trying to influence the referees before the match. SBS
Spain captain and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri was attacked by his former Manchester City teammate Nicolas Otamendi, who accused him of trying to influence the refereeing ahead of the match.
“Start talking less, idiot. You guys have been crying all week,” Otamendi said, according to reports.
“You’ve been crying all week. You and (centre-back Aymeric) Laporte, both of you. That doesn’t happen. You’ve been crying to the referees all week, my friend.”
The Argentine defender was referring to an article in the Spanish sports tabloid Marca before the final, where Laporta was asked about Argentina’s tactics.
“I’m not at all concerned about physical play as long as it’s part of football. If the referee does his job, I don’t have a problem with it,” the veteran defender said.
“It is true that in the last matches we saw things that surprised us very much, actions that went unpunished.
“Especially with Argentina, who are a team that often leaves one in the game. This should not be allowed in football, especially in such big competitions, because it can destabilize and anger you.
“Part of the referee’s job is to control these things so they don’t get taken advantage of. If one or two players can do that, the match will get out of control.”
In addition to the incident involving Rodri and Otamendi, video replays showed several players were involved in the brawl, including Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes.
It looks like he grabbed Spaniard Eric Garcia by the throat. When Garcia’s teammate and substitute Gavi intervened, Paredes pushed him to the ground.
The Spain captain was apparently punched in the stomach by Argentine defender Nahuel Molina as he ran past to join his teammates celebrating the title.
In the finals, the heat is on for both teams. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Molina later overtook Rodri when he was involved in an exchange with Otamendi.
During the World Cup, FIFA was criticized for its support of Argentina, especially after their 3-2 win over Egypt.
The Egyptians criticized the quality of the refereeing in the match and accused the management of paving the way for the South Americans.
This idea resonated with the Spanish fans who attended the final and chanted “Infantino” during the match.
The extent of FIFA’s role in the post-match brawl is unknown.
Argentina were also seen to turn their backs on the trophy being presented, leading to heavy criticism.
In addition, FIFA has already investigated the actions of the team that displayed the banner after defeating England in the semi-finals.
Observers of the world game condemned the team’s behavior after the final.
US sports publication The Athletic ran the headline: “How Argentina ruined the World Cup final with pushing, cheating and screaming,” calling it “the dirtiest World Cup final since 2010.”
The article caused a furious reaction among some reporters in the football-mad country.
The Argentine publication Clarin criticized parts of the report, calling it “strong” and full of “exaggerations.”
Another report from Argentina’s leading newspaper said the team was “polite and respectful” and downplayed the post-match scenes as “unfortunate isolated incidents.”
“As never before, the Argentine team demonstrated, both on and off the field, a set of values that are rare these days,” the report said.
“On and off the pitch they taught some lessons and showed the face of the country we would like to see away from the pitch.
“A team that behaved politely and respectfully despite some unfortunate isolated incidents in the last match; who did not speak ill of her rivals and did not try to justify her mistakes by blaming others.”
The newspaper went further, questioning the identity of referee Slavko Vinčić, linking him to a “prostitution and drugs scandal.”
Lionel Messi checks his medal after Argentina’s defeat in the World Cup final. AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Vinčić was arrested during a raid in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2020 but acquitted.
In addition, another Argentine publication La Nación, He was also one-eyed when he assumed that the team would compete at the World Cup.
“The team achieved the most difficult thing: the love and recognition of the people, even without being champions,” read the front page of the newspaper.