FIFA to investigate players clash after WC final

FIFA has opened a disciplinary investigation into the ugly scenes that marred the end of Sunday's World Cup final when several Argentina players and coaches clashed with members of the Spain team on the field. Ferran Torres' goal in the 106th minute sealed a 1-0 win for Spain to secure La Roja's second men's World Cup, but the game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey had already been disrupted by Argentine indiscipline, with Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández sent off by referee Slavko Vincic for a stoppage-time foul on Pau Cubarsí. At the end of the game, footage has emerged of Argentina's Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina hitting Spain's Eric García and Rodri, while Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala was also seen apparently striking Dani Olmo. Molina later crowded Rodri, who was the target of a verbal confrontation by his former Manchester City teammate Nicolas Otamendi. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and other players rushed in to defuse the situation. And FIFA has now confirmed that it has opened a disciplinary review to assess whether to take further action. A FIFA statement said, "Following an assessment of the relevant match reports for the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, and in line with article 36 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FDC with regard to the post-match incidents. "Further details will be communicated by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee once the prosecutor's report has been completed." Argentina's Fernández became the first player to be sent off in a World Cup final since John Heitinga was dismissed while playing for the Netherlands in the 2010 final against Spain in Johannesburg, South Africa.