FIFA has suspended three Argentina players, handing midfielder Leandro Paredes a 10-match ban for striking Spanish opponents moments after the World Cup final, according to Al Jazeera. The severe disciplinary action comes after a testy final match where Spain secured victory in extra time. The incident occurred on the pitch immediately following the final whistle, involving physical altercations between players from both national teams.
Paredes grabbed Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat and shoved Gavi to the ground during the post-match scuffle. FIFA categorized these on-field clashes as assault cases, ranking the punishment alongside historical sanctions from past tournaments. Because the upcoming national team calendar includes ten matches through June 2027, the suspension effectively translates to a one-year absence from international duty for Paredes.
Additional sanctions were handed down to other members of the Argentina squad. Defender Nahuel Molina received a seven-match suspension, while Thiago Almada was given a one-game ban. Financial penalties accompanied the suspensions, with Paredes and Molina each fined ninety thousand dollars, and Almada fined thirty thousand dollars. Spain midfielder Gavi also received a one-match ban for his involvement in the altercation, ruling him out of an upcoming Nations League fixture against England.
The Argentina football federation faces separate financial penalties totaling one hundred ten thousand dollars for various incidents during the tournament. These infractions included supporters displaying a political banner concerning the Falkland Islands following the semifinal victory over England, as well as discriminatory chants by fans. Furthermore, the governing body mandated that the federation invest one hundred thousand dollars into anti-racism projects. The federation retains the right to appeal these heavy sanctions through official channels.
