Argentina issue statement as FBI ‘seize phones’ in World Cup final drama | Football | Sport
The Argentina Football Association has brandished claims senior officials had their phones seized by FBI officials as “false.” There has been plenty of fallout from the country’s World Cup final defeat to Spain.
Nahuel Molina also appeared to throw a punch at Rodri. After that chaos, reports from Argentina also claimed there was more drama as they tried to return to the country, with Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia, the head of the Argentinian FA, allegedly having his phone seized by FBI agents.
It’s been reported by Infobae Tapia had to hand over his devices after being surrounded by US law enforcement officials at JFK International Airport, as he was preparing to fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s also been claimed other officials also had phones and computers be seized by officers.
However, the Argentinian FA is adamant this is not true, and made their feelings clear with an explosive statement. They wrote: “It is absolutely false to claim that Claudio Tapia or Pablo Toviggino have been summoned to testify by the United States Justice system, just as it is also false to claim that cell phones or any other electronic device have been seized from them.”
The purported fracas delayed Argentina’s flight back to the country, where thousands of fans were waiting to greet them and celebrate their run to the final.
It also remains to be seen what punishments, if any, FIFA will issue to the players at the heart of the post-match melee at the MetLife Stadium. After the match, the governing body of world football issued a statement that an investigation has been opened up into the drama.
They 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.”
They may also face repercussions for celebrating their victory over England by dancing around a homemade supporter banner which had the worlds “Los Malvina son Argentinas” which translates to ‘The Falklands are Argentine.”
