The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has seen its fair share of explosive moments. In fact, some are even calling it the most entertaining world cup we’ve had so far, both in terms of goals and drama. The latter of the two reached a boiling point during Argentina’s clash against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

If you’ve been following the tournament, you probably had a bag of popcorn during the game that was sprinkled with emotional outbursts and ended in players and staff, engaging in a heated exchange. Now, FIFA has confirmed that they are investigating Argentina for potential breaches in disciplinary conduct. The official statement reads – “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association due to potential breaches of articles 12 (Misconduct of players and officials) and 16 (Order and security at matches) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code during the Netherlands v. Argentina FIFA World Cup™ match that took place on 9 December,”

“Additionally, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Dutch Football Association due to potential breaches of article 12 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code in relation to the same match.”

Now the question remains that if Argentina is indeed found guilty of some violations, what would happen? Well, apart from a hefty monetary fine, nothing. It is likely the players and the staff will receive a warning along with a fine, but that’s where the matter would probably end.

This seems like the only conclusion to a saga which saw the highest number of yellow cards issued in a world cup game. Yes, referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz issued more than a dozen yellow cards along with a red to Dutch defender, Denzel Dumfries after the game ended.

The outcome was somewhat similar to the 2014 semi-final, which saw Argentina prevailing on penalties after a goalless tie in Brazil. However, multiple Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi doesn’t think the game should’ve ended that way. “This match shouldn’t have ended as it did. I don’t want to talk about the referee because they sanction you. But people saw what happened,” said Messi.

He further added, “We were afraid before the match because we knew how he was and I think FIFA has to review this. You can’t put a referee like him for these matches.”

Image credits – Twitter, Sky Sports