It takes just four words to ignite a geopolitical firestorm. "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" — the Malvinas are Argentinian — is what several Argentina players displayed on a banner after beating England 2-1 in their World Cup semi-final in Atlanta. Within hours, FIFA had opened disciplinary proceedings, the British prime minister's office had fired back a pointed remark, and a dispute rooted in an 1833 territorial claim was dominating sports headlines on two continents. FIFA's disciplinary code is explicit: using a sporting event for "demonstrations of a non-sporting nature" is prohibited.

This is not Argentina's first offence. In 2014, the federation was fined £20,000 for a similar, and considerably larger, banner held up before a friendly against Slovenia in La Plata. That precedent will not help Argentina's case now, especially since the current charge sheet runs well beyond one banner. It also includes discriminatory chants and gestures, late kick-offs, security protocol breaches, and objects thrown by spectators across multiple matches.

Then came the final. Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in New York, and the pitch at New York New Jersey Stadium descended into chaos. Midfielder Leandro Paredes faces three counts of assault under FIFA's code after he was seen wrestling Spain's Eric García to the ground. Defender Nahuel Molina faces two assault counts and one of unsporting behaviour.

Assistant coach Roberto Ayala and substitute Thiago Almada are also under investigation. Even Spain's Gavi has been charged with unsporting behaviour. Argentina reached the final playing some of the most electrifying football of the tournament, but it is lawyers, not forwards, who will define what this World Cup ultimately means for the Albiceleste.