FIFA issued penalties to three Argentine players on Friday following their actions in the aftermath of the World Cup final against Spain. Midfielder Leandro Paredes received a 10-match suspension for his altercation with Spain’s Eric Garcia and Gavi. This punishment is considered one of the most severe in World Cup history, comparable to the sanctions imposed on Uruguay’s Luis Suarez in 2014.
In addition to Paredes, defender Nahuel Molina was banned for seven games, while Thiago Almada received a one-game suspension. FIFA imposed fines of $90,000 on Paredes and Molina, and $30,000 on Almada. Paredes’ ban effectively sidelines him from the Argentina team for approximately a year, as FIFA’s national team schedule includes 10 games up to June 2027, which may consist entirely of friendly matches.
Spain’s Gavi was also suspended for one game, specifically missing a Nations League match against England at Wembley on Sept. 26. Argentine coach Roberto Ayala faced a three-game ban and a $30,000 fine for his involvement in the incident.
Furthermore, the Argentine Football Association was fined $110,000 for various infractions during the World Cup, such as players displaying a political banner about the Falkland Islands and discriminatory fan chants. FIFA mandated that the association allocate $100,000 towards anti-racism initiatives. Argentina received $34 million in prize money from the World Cup.
The Argentine Football Association has the option to appeal the sanctions and fines to FIFA, potentially escalating the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. In a statement, the federation expressed its intent to seek clarification from FIFA on the rulings and pursue appeals accordingly.
Comparatively, in 2014, Luis Suarez faced a four-month ban from all soccer activities, including club and international games, for biting an opponent during the World Cup. Paredes’ 10-game suspension mirrors the punishment handed to Croatia’s Josip Simunic in 2013 for inappropriate behavior after a World Cup qualifying playoff.
The incidents at the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain led to on-field clashes that FIFA categorized as assault cases. Following Argentina’s loss in the final, where they struggled against Spain, FIFA issued disciplinary measures, including ordering Argentina to play their next home game at a stadium limited to 50% capacity. Additional sanctions and fines were deferred pending probationary periods.