Argentina fans no gree for the 2026 World Cup final wey dem lose to Spain 1-0. Dem don start petition wey dey call on FIFA to replay the match, wey happun for New Jersey MetLife Stadium on Sunday 19 July. As at time of writing, the petition don gather more than 80,739 signatures.
The petition dey accuse Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic of delivering controversial and corrupt performance. Dem call on FIFA to review decisions wey dem take during the match. But the organiser no provide any verified evidence to back the allegations, except videos for social media wey she claim show incidents wey favour Spain.
FIFA rules say match fit replay only for exceptional circumstances, like serious breach of competition rules or decision by governing body before result don officially confirm. Spain don already win the World Cup title.
Similar campaigns don follow previous major finals. After Argentina win 2022 World Cup for Qatar, more than 200,000 French supporters sign petition calling for final replay over concerns about refereeing of Poland Szymon Marciniak. Argentina response at that time na to tell critics to stop crying.
There be few precedents, and almost all na decades old. For 2006, World Cup qualifying match between Uzbekistan and Bahrain get replay because of technical error by referee, not just disagreement over decisions for pitch. Sports courts don consistently refuse to order replays based on refereeing decisions, no matter how controversial.
While petition dey attract signatures, Argentinians don choose different form of response for streets. On day of defeat, tens of thousands of fans gather for cities across country to celebrate team run to final, despite falling just short of fourth world title.
Separate from petition, FIFA don open disciplinary investigation, but not into refereeing but into incidents after final whistle. The governing body don appoint disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate clashes between players from both teams after match. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes don be singled out for separate petition wey gather up to 23 million signatures. Footage appear to show am grabbing Eric Garcia by neck and shoving Gavi during Spain celebrations, incident wey lead to im dismissal after final whistle.
FIFA dey also review behaviour of Nahuel Molina, wey allegedly strike Rodri, and possible involvement of Roberto Ayala, Lionel Scaloni assistant coach, for shoving Dani Olmo. The investigation also cover trophy presentation, where several Argentina players turn their backs as Spain lift trophy. E also revive issue from semi-finals, where Argentina players display banner asserting sovereignty over Falkland Islands after eliminating England, incident wey AFA don already be fined.
Coach Lionel Scaloni try ease tensions at post-match press conference, saying: We be gracious for victory, and we must be so for defeat as well. But FIFA don decide to proceed with investigation and go provide further details once report complete.
Another petition wey title Argentina Out don gather more than 23 million signatures, demanding Argentina lifetime expulsion from World Cup. The petition accuse FIFA and match referees of bias towards Argentina and captain Lionel Messi. E text read: Why should rest of teams play for tournament if winner know for advance? Exclude Argentina from World Cup and give everyone fair chance. But Argentina no win latest edition, losing final to Spain 0-1. Their run through tournament don be dogged by refereeing controversy, especially round-of-16 clash with Egypt.
Reports say number of signatories bring petition close to Guinness World Records, falling fewer than million signatures short of record for most signed petition for history. That record still belong to Jubilee 2000 campaign for 1997, wey gather more than 24 million signatures. But petition get no effect on FIFA decisions, and governing body never respond to demands. Once Argentina lose final to Spain, organisers sign off with phrase: FIFA ignore us, but Spain keep promise. Spain.
