FIFA has imposed heavy sanctions on Argentina following the controversial scenes that marred the aftermath of the 2026 World Cup final, handing midfielder Leandro Paredes a 10-match international suspension and teammate Nahuel Molina a seven-match ban.
The disciplinary action follows the ugly confrontation that erupted after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Paredes and Molina were both fined $90,000 (£66,000) in addition to their respective suspensions, which will apply only to international fixtures.
The sanctions came after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee examined the incidents that occurred following the final whistle, when several Argentina players and members of the backroom staff became involved in confrontations with Spanish players.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was also handed a substantial $321,000 (£235,000) fine for multiple breaches of FIFA’s disciplinary regulations.
The offences include using a sporting event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct and discriminatory chants and gestures attributed to Argentina supporters.
As part of the punishment, FIFA ordered $100,000 (£73,000) of the fine to be invested in an anti-discrimination programme.
Another $100,000 (£73,000) of the penalty has been suspended and will remain subject to a probationary period.
Argentina have also been ordered to play their next two home international matches at 50 per cent stadium capacity, although the sanction affecting one of those matches has been suspended.
FIFA’s disciplinary action also covers a political banner displayed by Argentina players after their 2-1 semifinal victory over England.
The banner declared Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory, prompting FIFA to include the incident among the matters considered in its disciplinary proceedings.
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The governing body had appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the incidents following the final and related conduct during the tournament.
Argentina coaching staff member Roberto Ayala was handed a three-match suspension and fined $30,000 for his involvement in the post-match confrontations.
Spain’s Gavi received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine for his role in the clashes.
Argentina’s Thiago Almada was handed an identical one-match ban and $30,000 fine.
The sanctions represent one of FIFA’s strongest disciplinary responses in recent years and underline the governing body’s displeasure with the scenes that followed a final reportedly watched by an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide.
Argentina, one of the dominant forces in international football in recent years, must now deal with the fallout as several key figures face lengthy international suspensions and the AFA confronts a significant financial and sporting penalty.
