Overview
- Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 19, and televised scenes of Argentine players clashing with Spaniards followed the final.
- FIFA said it has opened a formal disciplinary inquiry under Article 36 and appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to review match reports, footage and witness statements from the post‑match incidents.
- Argentine outlets first published the private letter from FIFA president Gianni Infantino and international outlets have since verified it, showing Infantino praised Argentina’s "professionalism."
- The verified letter has drawn criticism because its tone appears at odds with FIFA’s simultaneous investigation into named players and staff who were seen fighting after the match.
- The controversy comes on top of wider tournament complaints about Argentina’s gamesmanship and a political 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' banner, and it raises questions about possible fines or individual sanctions that FIFA could impose later.