'Something happened' - AFA responds to World Cup final conspiracy theories

Conspiracy theories have been rife since the World Cup final in New Jersey last month. Many people have been expressing doubts on social media about Argentina's performance and the dressing room atmosphere after their 1-0 defeat to Spain. The most talked about comment was - "Something happened!"

On the one-month anniversary of the World Cup final, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has responded to the controversy. In a video posted on social media, it thanked the players and gave a strong message - "Never give up."

The video's caption reads: "A month ago, something happened. Many didn't want it to happen, but it did. Argentina played in another final, although many want to avoid it. We turned the tide in every match. We made history by eliminating England in the semi-finals.’

Regarding the conspiracy theories that spread after the final, the AFA video also says, ‘Despite all the anti-Argentine propaganda, we reached the final. So when someone says something happened, just say yes. What actually happened was that a team gave everything to win. They fought until the end, they never gave up. Even after winning everything, they had to lose this time.’

At the end of the video, Argentina captain Lionel Messi is shown crying emotionally after receiving the runner-up medal at the end of the final. Then, the background commentary says, ‘Our captain’s tears have taught us once again – you can lose, you can win. But no matter what happens, you can never give up.’

Meanwhile, on the one-month anniversary of the final, AFA president Claudio Tapia also expressed his views on social media. He described the conspiracy theories surrounding the Argentine team after the final as ‘vile propaganda’.

Tapia expressed his anger at the actions of various media outlets and social media outlets that questioned the mentality of the Argentine players in the final. He claimed that a vile propaganda campaign was carried out after the final at MetLife Stadium, in which it was suggested that the Argentine team had deliberately abandoned the match.

Tapia criticized the media outlets and individuals involved for maintaining these claims in the following weeks. He wrote, ‘The funny thing is, even after a month, no one has apologized. None of them have come forward and said, “We were wrong.” No one has the integrity, dignity or courage to accept responsibility.’

Tapia commented, ‘While our players were sacrificing themselves on the field, some people outside were doing the exact opposite. They have spread hatred, created division and tried to tarnish the image of a national team that has earned the respect of millions of people.

The AFA president added, “Keeping quiet is not the solution. Waiting for the issue to die down over time is not enough. You cannot ignore it by pretending that nothing was said.”

Tapia warned that baseless accusations have consequences. “Once you call national team players traitors, there is no going back,” he said. He also demanded an apology from those who had pointed fingers at the Argentine squad without any evidence.

Finally, the AFA president expressed his full support for the Argentine coaching staff, support staff and players. His message was, “Those who have given their all, no one has to explain themselves. Those who lied have to explain themselves.”