Argentina have been fined 300,000 Swiss francs (196,299.22 pounds) for failing to bring players to four pre-match news conferences during the World Cup, FIFA said in a statement on Friday.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee said Argentina had breached its media and marketing regulations in news conferences on the day before games against Nigeria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands with only coach Alejandro Sabella present.
The coach is supposed to appear alongside a player.
“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 Brazi and the competition’s Media & Marketing Regulations,” the world football regulator said in a statement on its website.
“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.”
There was no immediate response from Argentina, who face Germany in the World Cup final on Sunday.
