Argentina & Netherlands charged by FIFA after bad-tempered quarter-final

Argentina and the Netherlands are facing disciplinary proceedings from FIFA after their bad-tempered World Cup quarter-final clash.

Tempers flared throughout the match as things threatened to boil over on more than one occasion, with multiple scraps breaking out between the two sides.

Referee Antonio Lahoz issued 18 yellow cards during the match – a World Cup record – and gave Dutch right-back Denzel Dumfries his marching orders.

The bad blood continued during the penalty shootout that saw Argentina progress to the semi-finals, with the Dutch players appearing to attempt to distract the opposition players.

The fracas continued after the final whistle, with even the famously quiet Lionel Messi picking a fight with the Netherlands’ Wout Weghorst.

FIFA confirmed its disciplinary committee had opened proceedings against Argentina “due to potential breaches of articles 12 (misconduct of players and officials) and 16 (order and security at matches)”.

The statement continued: “Additionally, the FIFA disciplinary committee has opened proceedings against the Dutch Football Association due to potential breaches of article 12 of the Fifa disciplinary code in relation to the same match.”

Argentina will now face off against Croatia in the World Cup semi-finals as they look to win their first World Cup since 1986, and their third overall.

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal had already confirmed he would be stepping down after the competition and has left his post with immediate effect.