RIO DE JANEIRO: Argentina have been fined 300,000 Swiss francs (£200,000) for repeatedly snubbing the media – and,  by association, fans – at the World Cup finals in Brazil writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Tournament regulations insist that on the day before a game the team manager and one player attend the mandatory press conference in the match stadium before or after the training session.

The player is supposed to be one who is likely to be involved in the match.

However the AFA turned out only coach Alejandro Sabella before their games against Nigeria, Switzerland, Belgium and then semi-finals rivals Holland.

Hence world federation FIFA’s disciplinary committee found the Argentinian delegation guilty of failing “to allow media, and ultimately fans, to have an opportunity to follow a team’s preparations.”

FIFA statement

** The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed a fine of CHF 300,000 and pronounced a reprimand against the Argentina FA in relation to breaches of the Regulations 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ and the competition’s Media & Marketing Regulations.

Disciplinary proceedings were opened after Argentina turned up to three consecutive Match Day -1 press conferences in the stadium (ARG v. NIG, ARG v. SUI, ARG v. BEL), with only the head coach present instead of the required head coach plus at least one player. The same incident occurred at the Match Day -1 press conference prior to the semi-final ARG v. NED.

After analysing all necessary elements, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee found the Argentina FA guilty of breaching art. 4 par. 1 lit. f and 4. par. 2 of the Regulations 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil as well as art. 12.2 2nd part (i) of the competition’s Media & Marketing Regulations.

The objective of the said regulations is inter alia to allow media, and ultimately fans, to have an opportunity to follow a team’s preparations, while also allowing each team to have the best possible environment for those preparations.

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