Could Argentina face action after post-final trouble?

LONDON, England, July 20, 2026 – Argentina are likely to face a Fifa investigation following the ugly scenes at the end of the World Cup final. bettingx.club

Fifa had already begun the process of potential disciplinary action against Argentina when their players held a banner in support of their country’s claims to the Falkland Islands following the 2-1 semi-final win against England.

After the 1-0 defeat on Sunday, members of the Argentina team and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spain players as they began to celebrate their World Cup success.

Any player or coach involved in the fracas at the MetLife Stadium could face suspensions, while the Argentine Football Association (AFA) may also be fined.

It was initially reported by Fifa that Argentina’s Leandro Paredes had been sent off by referee Slavko Vincic after he pushed Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat.

Paredes’ red card was removed from the record shortly afterwards and there is now no evidence of any disciplinary action being taken at the time.

Argentina had already had one player dismissed, with Enzo Fernandez receiving a second yellow card in second-half stoppage time.

Fifa’s disciplinary committee will now await the official match reports before taking any action.

What happened after the World Cup final?

As the final whistle blew in New Jersey, a few Argentina players – including Lionel Messi – slumped to the turf.

Others stood there motionless as Spain’s players raced across the pitch in jubilation.

Rodri, who had been substituted in extra-time, ran over from the dugout to join his team-mates.

As the Manchester City midfielder went past Nahuel Molina, the Argentina defender appeared to punch Rodri on the arm or stomach.

This was the fuse which ignited the trouble.

Rodri confronted Molina, but it was the Argentina player who thrust forward in an aggressive manner.

Garcia ran over to back up his team-mate at which point Paredes got involved too, jabbing Garcia in the throat.

Unused substitute Gavi tried to intervene, only to be forced to the ground by Thiago Almada.

Paredes then pushed Gavi to the floor by putting his hand in the Spaniard’s face.

Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala then looked to be holding Garcia around the throat. He then appeared to strike Spain midfielder Dani Olmo.

“Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone’s face. He went for them,” Alan Shearer said on BBC One’s coverage. “There is no place or space for that.

“We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible.”

Joe Hart added: “The game’s done, they can have absolutely no complaints about what happened today. Disgusting behaviour.”

But Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni, who had attempted to calm down the situation, appeared to play down the incidents in his post-match interview.

“We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat,” he said. “Today, we are showing that we know how to lose.

“We lost the match, and we accept it, but that doesn’t mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here.”

What action could Argentina face?

Fifa’s disciplinary committee has a number of options open to it.

It could look to issue three-match bans for violent conduct, but it is more likely to use its disciplinary code to give stronger charges.

Article 13 covers offensive behaviour and the principles of fair play.

The actions of the players and staff could be judged as “violating the basic rules of decent conduct” and “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or Fifa into disrepute”.

The Fifa disciplinary committee takes into account “both aggravating and mitigating circumstances”, and it has the power to enforce the ban globally.

Fifa used this clause to charge then-Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales after kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win against England.

Rubiales was banned from all football-related activities for three years in 2023 and lost an appeal to get it overturned.

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was suspended from all football-related activity for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup.

It meant the Liverpool player missed the first nine games of the Premier League season.

It is unlikely that Paredes, Molina and Ayala will face bans as long as this.

The AFA, however, has faced issues with the behaviour of its players in recent years.

Argentina faced charges related to “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” and “misconduct of players and officials” following the 2022 World Cup final.

The South Americans beat France on penalties but were criticised for the way they celebrated.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a lewd gesture with his Goalkeeper of the Tournament trophy, before being filmed in the dressing room mocking France star Kylian Mbappe.

Argentina were fined £18,300 and no action was taken against any player involved.

But Martinez was banned for two games in 2024 for ‘offensive behaviour’ in World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.

Martinez repeated his infamous celebration using a replica Copa America trophy following a 3-0 win over Chile. Four days later, he hit a camera with his gloves as a cameraman approached him on the pitch after a 2-1 defeat by Colombia.

At this World Cup, the AFA is already facing a probable fine for the banner held up after the England game.

Their players celebrated while holding a cloth which read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates as “The Falklands are Argentine”.

In 2014, the AFA was fined £20,000 after its players held up a banner with the same message before a friendly against Slovenia.

It is possible that Fifa could issue bans to the players who were holding it: Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, former Spurs player Giovani Lo Celso and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez.

After Spain’s 2-1 Euro 2024 final win over England, their captain Alvaro Morata and team-mate Rodri were banned for one game by Uefa after they chanted “Gibraltar is Spanish” during their victory celebrations.

So when could Fifa make a decision on any potential charges?

After the 2022 World Cup final on 18 December, Fifa officially charged Argentina on 13 January but it took another month for a decision to be reached.

There will not be a resolution any time soon.

L’aventure de Rudi Garcia à la tête de la Belgique est officiellement terminée. Après 18 mois passés sur le banc des Diables Rouges et une élimination en quart de finale de la Coupe du monde 2026 face à l’Espagne (2-1), la Fédération royale belge de football (RBFA) et le technicien français ont décidé de mettre fin à leur collaboration.

La RBFA officialise la séparation

Dans un communiqué publié ce lundi, la Fédération belge a annoncé que Rudi Garcia ne poursuivra pas sa mission à la tête de la sélection nationale. Les deux parties ont choisi d’un commun accord de ne pas prolonger leur aventure après une période marquée par une transition générationnelle au sein du groupe belge.

La RBFA a tenu à remercier l’ancien entraîneur de l’Olympique de Marseille, de Lyon et de Naples pour son travail, son implication et son rôle dans le renouvellement de l’effectif. Arrivé avec la mission de relancer une équipe en pleine évolution, Garcia laisse les Diables Rouges avec une qualification pour la Coupe du monde 2026 et une place parmi les meilleures nations mondiales.

« Rudi Garcia et l’URBSFA ne prolongeront pas le contrat qui court jusqu’au 31 juillet 2026. Rudi Garcia est entré en fonction le 1er février 2025 en tant que successeur de Domenico Tedesco » peut-on lire.

Un bilan positif malgré l’élimination en quart

En 20 rencontres dirigées à la tête de la Belgique, Rudi Garcia affiche un bilan de 12 victoires, 6 matchs nuls et seulement 2 défaites. Durant son mandat, le sélectionneur français a également fait appel à 36 joueurs différents, participant au renouvellement de l’équipe.

Son parcours au Mondial 2026 s’est arrêté en quart de finale face à l’Espagne, future championne du monde. Les Diables Rouges avaient pourtant réussi à retrouver une certaine stabilité et à rester compétitifs au plus haut niveau.

Garcia remercie la Belgique

Après l’annonce de son départ, Rudi Garcia a également confirmé la fin de cette collaboration.

« Après échanges avec la Fédération belge, nous avons décidé de ne pas prolonger l’excellent parcours de ces 18 derniers mois. Je laisse la Belgique en Ligue A de la Ligue des Nations et dans les 8 meilleures équipes du monde », a-t-il expliqué.

Le technicien français a également tenu à rendre hommage à ses joueurs, au directeur sportif Vincent Mannaert et aux supporters belges.

« Je tenais à remercier mon formidable groupe de joueurs, le directeur sportif, Vincent Mannaert, ainsi que les fans qui nous ont soutenus tout au long de ce Mondial. Je souhaite bon vent à la Belgique pour continuer le changement de génération que j’ai pris plaisir à initier », a-t-il ajouté.

Un nouveau défi en perspective

Désormais libre, Rudi Garcia se dit prêt à relever un nouveau challenge, que ce soit sur un banc de sélection ou dans un club. De son côté, la Belgique devra désormais trouver un nouveau sélectionneur pour poursuivre sa reconstruction et préparer les prochaines échéances internationales.

The post Belgique : Rudi Garcia n’est plus le sélectionneur des Diables Rouges appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

LONDON, England, July 20, 2026 – Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75, seven weeks after he revealed he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer, his family have confirmed.

One of English football’s most decorated players, Keegan enjoyed spells at Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle during an illustrious playing career.

He later went on to manage Newcastle, Fulham, England and Manchester City.

Keegan revealed he had stage four cancer in June, which is the most advanced stage of cancer and means the disease has spread to other parts of the body.

A statement on behalf of the Keegan family said he was “surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments”.

“Kevin, a double Ballon d’Or winner, was a much loved husband, father and grandfather,” it continued.

“The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support. This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and privacy.”

Newcastle United paid tribute, describing Keegan as “one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures in our club’s history”.

The club statement added: “Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.

“Kevin’s impact will not be measured by appearances or results. It will live on in the memories he created with club and country, the dreams he inspired wherever he went, and the generations of supporters around the world who fell in love with football because of him.”

More to follow.

Présent au MetLife Stadium dimanche lors de la finale de Coupe du monde remportée 1-0 par l’Espagne contre l’Argentine, David Beckham a écrit quelques mots sur ses réseaux sociaux pour saluer la performance espagnole.

Spectateur attentif de la Coupe du monde, l’ancien international anglais de 51 ans (115 sélections, 17 buts) a tenu à féliciter la Roja sur ses réseaux sociaux pour sa victoire dans cette édition et une finale remportée 1-0 contre l’Argentine près de New York. Vainqueur de La Liga en 2007 de la Supercoupe d’Espagne en 2003, David Beckham a évolué pendant quatre saisons au Real Madrid entre 2003 et 2007.

« Champions du monde. Vive l’Espagne. Félicitations à l’Espagne pour ce tournoi parfait », a posté, ce lundi, l’ancien madrilène sur son compte Instagram.

The post David Beckham salue « un tournoi parfait » pour l’Espagne après sa victoire au Mondial appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

How Betting Odds Work on SportPesa. Betting odds on SportPesa indicate the likelihood of an event happening and determine how much you can win if your bet succeeds.

What are betting odds?

Betting odds are a numerical representation of probability. They show how likely an outcome is and how much you can win if your bet is successful. The higher the odds, the less likely the outcome — but the bigger the potential payout.

For example, the probability that real Madrid will beat Barcelona in the El Clasico could be 1.5 while the chances of getting beaten could be 2.4 with a draw being 2.1

Decimal odds — the most common format

SportPesa uses decimal odds. This is the most widely used format worldwide, including across Europe, Africa, Canada and Australia.

Decimal odds represent the total return of the bet — including the amount you staked — for every unit wagered.

For example ,,,Sportpesa has odds of 2.43 on spain beating Argentina in the FIFA World cup 2026 final ,Draw (2.97), and Argentina to win at (3.41). So a person who bet with 10 shillings on spain at 2.43 had a potential payout of 24.3 (10 initial stake ☓ 2.43 decimal odds).This payout includes the 10 initial stake

Example: how to read decimal odds

Suppose SportPesa shows odds of 2.43 for Team A to win, 2.97 for a draw, and 3.41 for Team B to win. Here is how a stake of 10 units on each outcome would pay out:

Selection	Decimal odds	Stake (10 units)	Total return
Team A to win	2.43	10 units	24.30 units
Draw	2.97	10 units	29.70 units
Team B to win	3.41	10 units	34.10 units

Read also: How to download and install sportpesa app

Key formulas

• Total Return = Stake × Decimal Odds
• Profit = Stake × (Decimal Odds − 1)

For example, a 50 units bet at decimal odds of 3.50 would return 175 units in total, with a profit of 125 units. Your original 50 units stake is included in that return.

Advantages of decimal odds

• Simplicity — easy to calculate total returns and profits with basic multiplication.
• Global standard — widely used in Europe, Africa, Canada, Australia and on betting exchanges worldwide.
• Comparison-friendly — easy to compare different betting opportunities and identify value.
• Conversion-friendly — decimal odds can be converted from fractional odds (e.g. 5/2 = 3.50 decimal) and are easier to interpret than American odds.

Interpreting what the number means

• Odds above 2.00 — the outcome is considered an underdog (less likely), but the payout is higher.
• Odds below 2.00 — the outcome is considered a favourite (more likely), but the payout is smaller.
• Odds of exactly 2.00 — an even-money bet. Your potential profit equals your stake exactly.

The lower the decimal odds, the more likely the outcome. The higher the decimal odds, the bigger the potential return for the same stake.

Read also: Key betting terms on Sportpesa explained