Do You Think Argentina Should Be Expelled From The World Cup For Bringing Politics Into Sport, And Spain Declared The Winners?

[Sunrising]

We don't want political scenes like this in the World Cup, with the Argentinan players also causing clashes with the supporters not only in the ground, but also everywhere the match was shown on public screens.

A similar occurrence happened this year in the African Cup of Nations, with the players walking off the pitch because they disagreed with the referees decision.

The right decision was finally made with the African Cup Final, and the same decision should be made before Argentina play in this final.

What is your opinion?

A. There is no place for politics in sport, Argentina should be expelled and Spain declared the winners of the World Cup.

B. Spain should be allowed to win the World Cup Final playing football.

C. Something else.

[AI Opinion]

No, expelling Argentina would be extreme and unfair ⚽️

Politics and football unfortunately mix all the time, from celebrations to protests to crowd trouble. Unless a team or federation violates clear FIFA rules (racism, violence, government interference, match fixing), you don’t throw them out just for emotional or provocative behavior.

Discipline individuals, improve security, but let the football decide the winner.

[abc3643]

There are often political statements at widely seen events.

For instance, Tommy Smith and John Carlos respectively won gold and bronze in their running events at the 1968 Summer Olympics in October. Here, they are seen raising their fists, a sign of "Black power" / "Human Rights" during the Civil Rights Era in the 1950s and later and, in particular, the recent assassination of MLK 6 months earlier.

Personally, I have no problem with the Argentine banner although that was not in good taste.

The banner reads "Las Malvinas son Argentinas". That's "The Malvinas are Argentine." "Las Islas Malvinas" is the Argentine name for the Falkland Islands which are currently UK territory although Argentina claims them.

I fully remember the Falklands War which Argentina started in April 1982 and didn't go well at all for them. It sort of was a "Wag the Dog" moment for the military junta ruling Argentina at that time. Hey, at least they won the World Cup that year.

But, better, because they lost the war, the ruling military junta lost power and Argentina became a democracy. So, perhaps the people should be thankful they lost the war even if they are still grumpy about "Las Islas Malvinas" still being British. *sigh* People fail to learn from history and these young soccer players didn't learn the important lessons.

However, after 44 years, Argentines should move on or, instead, fork over the money and get the UK to sell the islands. Either that or spend more time developing weapons systems to overcome NATO and less time obsessing about kicking a ball around.

So, do I think Argentina should suffer a penalty because of this? Not if it affects the outcome of the World Cup. However, perhaps there should be some type of punishment although I think "it's much to-do about nothing".

[Calyptomaniac]

That would be very extreme. This isn't the Olympics where it's blatantly spelled out that you'll be banned for political protests and precedent says you'll be banned. If that were the case, they of course wouldn't do it because it's not worth risking being kicked out of the final. And FIFA doesn't benefit from doing it either. Canceling the championship of the biggest sporting event in the world over a political issue that everyone knew was hovering over the game would be idiotic. They can punish them later. This option shouldn't even be seriously discussed.

[NathanDavis]

FIFA gives fines for these kind of things...

they have fined Argentina before, over the same message... they will fine them again

and that's it...

[Xawyx-2]

The players didn't do it, it's not their fault... so no, they shouldn't be expelled.

They should have expelled Croatia for far worse things... not just from the World Cup, but also from NATO and EU.

[DryGermanGuy]

Absolutely not! That's something maybe for a qualification game, not for the finals!

[XXblack88]

No they should be able to say what they want to and people should stop taking everything so personal.

[Siajanua2027]

Corruption in FIFA has always been an issue which have not gone away.

[Abbycado]

Nah. Not worth it.

[FrodoSkywalker007]

Nope