FIFA has handed lengthy suspensions and financial penalties to Argentina players and officials following a heated confrontation after the 2026 World Cup final.
GENEVA: FIFA has imposed sweeping disciplinary sanctions on Argentina following a confrontation after the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, with midfielder Leandro Paredes receiving a 10-match international suspension and a $90,000 fine.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced the punishments after reviewing incidents at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, when Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup.
Paredes received the most severe punishment among the players involved. Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven international matches and fined $90,000, while Thiago Almada was handed a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine.
Argentina team official Roberto Ayala was suspended for three matches and fined $30,000. Spain midfielder Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, commonly known as Gavi, was also suspended for one match and fined $30,000 for unsporting behavior.
The sanctions followed a brief confrontation after the final whistle, when players from both teams became involved in an altercation. Paredes was reportedly involved in a confrontation with Gavi, prompting FIFA to open disciplinary proceedings over alleged assault and unsporting behavior.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was separately fined a combined $321,000 for multiple violations during the tournament. FIFA cited team misconduct, discriminatory behavior by supporters, security-related breaches and other disciplinary offenses.
Argentina was also ordered to play its next two home matches with attendance limited to 50% of stadium capacity. FIFA, however, suspended part of the sanction, leaving one of the reduced-capacity matches conditional during a probationary period.
The governing body further ordered that $100,000 from the disciplinary fine be allocated to measures aimed at combating discrimination. Another portion of the financial penalty was suspended under the conditions set by FIFA.
The AFA and the individuals sanctioned have 10 days to request the detailed reasons for the decisions and may subsequently pursue available appeal procedures.
About The Author
