Omanghana
FIFA has imposed lengthy suspensions and substantial fines on several Argentina players and officials following the confrontation that erupted after the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.
Leandro Paredes received the heaviest punishment, with the Argentina midfielder suspended for 10 international matches and fined $90,000 for his involvement in the post-match altercation.
Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute to secure Spain’s second World Cup title.
Tensions spilled over after the final whistle as players and team officials became involved in confrontations. Video footage showed Paredes clashing with Spain defender Eric García before becoming involved in a physical struggle with Gavi.
After reviewing the incidents, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee imposed sanctions on four members of Argentina’s playing and technical teams, as well as Spanish midfielder Gavi.
Argentina defender Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven matches and fined $90,000. Midfielder Thiago Almada received a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine.
Argentina team official Roberto Ayala was handed a three-match suspension and fined $30,000, while Gavi whose full name is Pablo Martín Páez Gavira—received a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine.
FIFA confirmed that the suspensions will be carried over to the next matches played by the affected national teams. The sanctions could therefore keep Paredes unavailable for Argentina for a significant period.
The Argentine Football Association was separately fined a total of $321,000 for several breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
The violations included team misconduct, discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters, security failures and the use of a sporting event for a demonstration of a non-sporting nature.
FIFA also ordered Argentina to play their next two home matches with spectator attendance limited to 50% of the stadium’s capacity.
However, the implementation of one of those matches and $100,000 of the financial penalty has been suspended for a probationary period.
The disciplinary body further directed the AFA to invest $100,000 of the total fine in an anti-discrimination program.
According to FIFA, the association’s violations involved Articles 13, 14, 15 and 17 of its Disciplinary Code, covering non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, discrimination and stadium security.
The case involving a political banner referring to the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas, also attracted attention following the country’s semifinal victory over England.
The sanctioned parties were officially notified of the decisions on August 21. They have 10 days to request the full grounds for the rulings, after which they may pursue an appeal under the applicable provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
FIFA’s decision represents a significant response to the disorder that followed football’s biggest international match. It also reinforces the governing body’s position that violent conduct, discrimination and political demonstrations will attract consequences beyond the tournament in which they occur.
The full list of penalties is available in FIFA’s official disciplinary announcement.
Source: Omanghana
