FIFA has issued bans to three Argentina players, with midfielder Leandro Paredes receiving a 10-match suspension for assaulting Spain opponents following the World Cup final defeat. Paredes’ ban, which involved grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat and pushing Gavi to the ground, is one of the harshest punishments in World Cup history, comparable to the sanctions imposed on Luis Suarez in 2014.
In addition to Paredes, Argentina defender Nahuel Molina received a seven-game ban, while Thiago Almada was suspended for one game. FIFA also fined Paredes and Molina $90,000 each, and Almada $30,000. Paredes’ ban effectively sidelines him from the Argentina team for a year, as the FIFA national team schedule includes 10 games until June 2027, all potentially being friendly matches.
Spain’s Gavi was also handed a one-game ban for an upcoming Nations League match against England. Furthermore, Argentina coach Roberto Ayala received a three-game ban and a $30,000 fine for his involvement in the incidents. The Argentine Football Association was fined $110,000 for various infractions during the World Cup, including players displaying a political banner regarding the Falkland Islands and discriminatory chants by fans. FIFA also mandated the AFA to allocate $100,000 towards anti-racism initiatives.
AFA has the option to appeal the sanctions and fines to FIFA, with a possible subsequent appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Notably, Suarez faced a four-month ban in 2014, while Paredes’ 10-game suspension matches that of Josip Simunic in 2013 for similar misconduct.
The altercations during the final match in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were labeled as assault cases by FIFA, stemming from Argentina’s loss to Spain. Spain secured victory with a goal from Ferran Torres in extra time, as Argentina struggled to create scoring opportunities. As part of the disciplinary measures, FIFA directed Argentina to host their next home game in a stadium operating at 50% capacity, with potential additional penalties on hold pending probationary periods.