FIFA Bans Five Players After World Cup Final Clash
Football's world governing body, FIFA, has punished five players for fighting after the World Cup final.
The trouble started after the final match ended, when players from both teams became involved in an angry confrontation.
FIFA looked at the situation and decided to give each player a ban, stopping them from playing matches for a certain time.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes received the toughest punishment, a ten-match ban, the longest given to any player.
Nahuel Molina was banned for seven matches, while Nicolás Otamendi received a three-match ban.
Thiago Almada was given a shorter ban of just one match.
Spain's Gavi was also sanctioned with a one-match ban for his part in the incident.
FIFA has not given full details about what each player did during the fight.
The penalty has caused discussion among football fans and journalists.
Some people are also talking about chants sung by Argentine fans during the final.
There is debate about whether the overall punishment given to Argentina's team is fair.
This case shows how seriously FIFA treats bad behaviour connected to its biggest tournament.
The World Cup final is one of the most watched sports events in the world, so any trouble draws a lot of attention.
FIFA often reviews video footage before deciding on sanctions like these.
The players affected will miss important matches because of these decisions.
Vocabulary10 words
- FIFA
- the organisation that controls football worldwide
- confrontation
- a situation where people argue or fight
- ban
- an official rule that stops someone from playing
- penalty
- a punishment given for breaking a rule
- sanction
- an official punishment
- fair
- right and reasonable
- tournament
- a big sports competition with many matches
- midfielder
- a football player who plays in the middle of the field
- incident
- an event, often unpleasant
- chant
- words fans repeat or sing loudly
Quiz
Answer key
1. A confrontation after the World Cup final 2. Ten matches 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Football's world governing body, FIFA, has _____ five players for fighting after the World Cup final.
The trouble started after the final match ended, when players from both teams became involved in an angry _____.
FIFA looked at the situation and decided to give each player a _____.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes received the toughest punishment, a _____-match ban.
Nahuel Molina was banned for _____ matches, while Nicolás Otamendi received a three-match ban.
Thiago Almada was given a shorter ban of just _____ match.
Spain's Gavi was also _____ with a one-match ban.
The _____ has caused discussion among football fans and journalists.
There is debate about whether the overall punishment given to Argentina's team is _____.
This case shows how seriously FIFA treats bad behaviour connected to its biggest _____.