A second Argentina team is being probed for a post-game ruckus … and an Aussie is in the middle of it

With their football team already under investigation by FIFA over their post-game antics at the World Cup, a second Argentinian sporting side is being officially probed about aggressive behaviour after the fulltime siren – and an Australian is at the centre of it.World Rugby is investigating the actions of Argentina players towards Australian referee Angus Gardner, after a feisty and controversial clash with rivals England in Santiago on Sunday morning.The heated Nations Championship fixture, which was played 24 hours before the FIFA World Cup final, saw England snatch a 31-24 victory.Gardner was confronted on the field after full-time by several Pumas players, who were upset with a decision not to award a potentially match-levelling try in the last minute. Gardner also had an object thrown at him from the crowd as he left the field to a chorus of jeers.The game was played amid already escalated tension, after the two countries had contested a spicy semi-final at the FIFA World Cup three days earlier.The troubled history between Argentina and England had risen the surface in the lead-up and, referencing the 1982 war over the Falklands Islands, several groups of fans in the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades for the Pumas-England rugby clash unfurled banners referring to Las Malvinas, the Argentinian name for the islands.Angus Gardner (left) looks on as the TMO reviews a decision in the England-Argentina clash on the big screen.The RFU Collection via Getty ImagesIn a further escalation, Argentina’s rugby side wore a replica of the blue-on-blue soccer jersey worn by Argentina at the 1986 World Cup, in which Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal helped knock England out.Against that background, with emotions running high, the Pumas-England game was predictably combative and Gardner, one of the world’s top referees, had his hands full. He issued seven yellow cards during the game, but it was a decision by match officials to deny the hosts a chance to draw after fulltime that saw tempers boil over.Trailing 31-24 and on their own line, Argentina attacked for almost three minutes against an England side reduced to 13 men and eventually winger Bautista Delguy touched down in the corner. Gardner’s on-field decision was a try but TMO Brett Cronan, another Australian, determined upon review that a part of ball had been grounded on the touchline and overruled it.Complaints from Pumas players that Delguy had been hit by two high tackles, which could have justified a penalty try, were also dismissed by Gardner.After Gardner blew for fulltime, several upset Argentina players got in the referee’s face, with five-eighth Tomas Albornoz making contact with the Australian. A shocked Gardner said, “Hey, hey, hey, don’t, don’t”, and when Albornoz also confronted assistant referee Paul Williams, the referee said, “Hey, don’t do that”.Albornoz spiked the ball onto the ground near the match officials, and though a member of Pumas coaching staff shielded Gardner and held back several Argentina players from confronting him, winger Delguy also appeared to brush past the referee deliberately.Footage on social media showed Gardner was then subjected to shouts from the crowd calling him a “thief” as he walked up the tunnel, and narrowly avoided getting hit with a projectile throw from the stands.World Rugby is investigating the incident and match officials provided statements through their post-match processes, according to informed sources. The global governing body was contacted for comment.Diego Maradona punches the ball into the net for his “Hand of God” goal against England in 1986.Getty ImagesUnder World Rugby Regulation 9.28, players are forbidden from making contact with match officials, or using verbal abuse. In both instances, sanctions range from six week suspensions to 52-week bans.Though referees appointments are made by World Rugby, referees are employees of national unions.Rugby Australia declined to comment on the Gardner matter on Tuesday, but stressed there was no room for abuse and intimidation of match officials in rugby.“The safety and wellbeing of Match Officials is vital to the integrity of rugby,” an RA spokesperson said.“Match Officials play an integral role in promoting the growth and popularity of rugby from the international arena to our local community clubs. It’s critical we provide a safe and respectful environment for them to carry out their important duties. Abuse and/or intimidation of Match Officials is not consistent with the values of our game.”RA recently sent out an updated directive to state unions stressing the need for zero tolerance for abuse and intimidation of match officials.World Rugby has also shown a recent willingness to protect match officials, having suspended Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada last week for excessive criticism of a referee. He was unable to attend the team’s clash with the Wallabies in Perth.News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.Iain Payten is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners