Anti-Argentina backlash grows after World Cup final defeat
A surge of anti-Lionel Messi and anti-Argentina sentiment has emerged online and in several countries after Argentina’s loss to Spain in the FIFA World Cup final. Reports detail harassment, xenophobic attacks, and accusations of racism targeting Argentines abroad. Criticism of the national team and its players has intensified, with conspiracy theories and heated debates dominating social media. The Argentine Football Association is reportedly considering legal action over what it calls a misinformation campaign.
Match highlights
- Many Argentines in Brazil, Spain, and Germany reported harassment and insults after the final, with some considering formal complaints.
- A video circulated showing a man in an Argentina jersey being attacked at Madrid’s Sol metro station, though Spain’s National Police said no official complaint was filed.
- Criticism of the team included allegations of referee bias, unsportsmanlike conduct, and accusations of racism, which were denied by FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer, Pierluigi Collina.
- The backlash intensified after American actor Samuel L. Jackson called Argentina “one of the most racist countries in the world,” sparking further online debate.
- The Argentine Football Association is reportedly collecting evidence for potential defamation lawsuits against media outlets and social media users accused of spreading false claims about the team.
