Argentina's Leandro Paredes clashes with Spain midfielder Gavi after the World Cup final (Photo | AFP)
Quick Take

Quick Take | Bad butterfly effect

That Fifa has finally decided to act up against unruly Argentine players is a deed done too late

Express News Service

Fifa, the football overlord in a freefall on popularity charts since the World Cup, has finally taken action on the ugly fracas the tournament ended with. On Friday, it handed out bans and fines to three Argentina players and one official for on-pitch scuffles. Leandro Paredes, who shoved a Spanish player to the ground after the final, earned the harshest sentence of a 10-match ban and a €76,000 fine. The nation’s football association was fined €94,000 and directed to spend €85,500 on anti-racism projects. But the damage is done. As Premier League prepared to restart this weekend, the league’s refereeing head warned of a global fallout from Fifa’s baffling decision to allow US forward Folarin Balogun to play despite a World Cup red card.

‘You are bullies like PM’: Rahul Gandhi targets BJP, RSS over attack on protesters

‘Shortfall in court fee’: Supreme Court flags over 10 defects in Rahul Gandhi’s plea against SIR

Rahul Gandhi to host INDIA bloc MPs for high tea tomorrow; another joint protest likely

INDIA bloc moves Supreme Court against alleged voter deletions, SIR irregularities

‘Our path is independent’: DMK tells Congress it need not join its agitations amid rift