FIFA bans Leandro Paredes for 10 games for World Cup brawl; Argentina FA also fined for Falklands banner

Fifa on Friday (21 August) imposed a series of major disciplinary sanctions on Argentina following several incidents during the 2026 Fifa World Cup, in which the Lionel Messi-led side reached the final, only to lose to Spain.

Midfielder Leandro Paredes received the most severe punishment. The Fifa Disciplinary Committee on Friday banned Paredes for 10 matches and fined him US$90,000 for his involvement in the post-match confrontation following Argentina’s World Cup final against Spain. Argentina defender Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-match ban, while Thiago Almada and team official Roberto Ayala received shorter suspensions. Spain midfielder Gavi was also punished for his role in the incident.

The sanctions follow Fifa’s disciplinary proceedings into events surrounding the final, which Spain won 1-0 after extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July.

According to Fifa, the suspensions will carry over to their respective national teams’ next matches. The disciplinary action stems from incidents that occurred after the final whistle, when tensions boiled over between members of the Argentina and Spain camps. Fifa had previously opened proceedings over allegations including assault and unsporting behaviour before announcing the final sanctions.

Argentina FA fined
The disciplinary action has also extended to the Argentinian Football Association (AFA), which Fifa has fined a total of US$321,000. The governing body found the AFA responsible for breaches involving the use of a sporting event for non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, discrimination and racist abuse, and order and security at matches.

Fifa said the discrimination-related breach stemmed from discriminatory chants and gestures by Argentina supporters during the tournament. The AFA has additionally been ordered to play its next two home matches with attendance restricted to 50 per cent of stadium capacity. However, Fifa clarified that the implementation of one of those two match sanctions has been suspended for a probationary period.

The financial penalty on the AFA also comes with a specific requirement. Fifa has directed that US$100,000 of the fine be invested in a plan to combat discrimination. Another US$100,000 of the fine is suspended for the duration of the probationary period.

One of the incidents considered by Fifa involved a political message displayed following Argentina’s semi-final victory over England. Several Argentine players were seen with a banner carrying the words “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates to “The Malvinas are Argentine.” Argentina uses the term Malvinas for the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory that Buenos Aires claims as its own.

Here is the full list of sanctions imposed by Fifa

Leandro Paredes (player): a 10-match suspension and a fine of US$90,000.
Nahuel Molina (player): a seven-match suspension and a fine of US$90,000.
Thiago Almada (player): a one-match suspension and a fine of US$30,000.
Roberto Ayala (team official): a three-match suspension and a fine of US$30,000.
Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (player): a one-match suspension and a fine of US$30,000.

Argentinian Football Association (AFA): fines amounting to US$321,000 and also ordered to play its next two home matches with a limited number of spectators (50%). US$100,000 of the US$321,000 must be invested in a plan to combat discrimination; the implementation of part of the sanction (one of the two matches and US$100,000 of the fine) is suspended, with a probationary period to apply.