FIFA Bans Leandro Paredes for 10 Matches After Argentina-Spain World Cup Final Clash | Ukraine news

The post-final fallout reaches far beyond one confrontation, with Argentina facing financial penalties, stadium restrictions, and a potentially lengthy absence.

FIFA has issued disciplinary rulings following a clash between representatives of Argentina and Spain that occurred immediately after the World Cup final. Leandro Paredes received the harshest punishment: the Argentina midfielder was suspended for 10 matches.

After Argentina’s defeat, Paredes grabbed Eric García by the throat and pushed Gavi to the ground. The 10-match ban is among the longest punishments FIFA has imposed in connection with World Cup competitions.

Suspensions and fines for Argentina

FIFA’s sanctions against members of the Argentine team include:

• Leandro Paredes – a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine;
• Nahuel Molina – a seven-match suspension and a $90,000 fine;
• Thiago Almada – a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine;
• Roberto Ayala – a three-match suspension and a $30,000 fine.

Paredes’ suspension means he may not play for the national team until June 2027. FIFA’s calendar for this period includes exactly 10 Argentina matches, all of which could currently have friendly status.

Gavi was also punished and will miss the Nations League match against England. The game is scheduled for September 26 at “Wembley” Stadium.

Fines and restrictions for the AFA

The Argentine Football Association was fined $110,000 over several incidents during the tournament. These included a political banner about the Falkland Islands after the semi-final victory over England, as well as discriminatory chants by Argentine supporters.

Separately, FIFA ordered the AFA to allocate $100,000 to anti-racism projects. Argentina, meanwhile, received $34 million in prize money for its World Cup performance.

Argentina’s next home match will be played in front of a partially filled stadium: attendance must not exceed 50% of the venue’s capacity. FIFA has suspended another stadium sanction, as well as a $100,000 fine, for a probationary period.

The AFA has the right to appeal the suspensions and financial penalties to FIFA’s appeals body and, if necessary, take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The AFA’s legal department will promptly request from FIFA the reasoning behind the decisions subject to review in order to file appeals with the governing body’s appeals committee, while preserving the option of turning to CAS in the future as a last resort.

– Argentine Football Association

How Paredes’ sanction compares with other FIFA punishments

Leandro Paredes’ suspension matches the length of Josip Šimunić’s punishment in 2013. The Croatian was then banned for 10 matches after leading chants through a megaphone of a slogan used by the country’s pro-German Nazi regime during World War II. This happened after Croatia’s victory in the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Another high-profile case was the punishment handed to Luis Suárez in 2014. For biting Giorgio Chiellini in a World Cup group-stage match in Brazil, the Uruguayan was banned from football for four months and missed eight matches for his national team.

FIFA classified the clashes after the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as assaults. Argentina lost 0-1 to Spain, with Ferran Torres scoring the only goal in the second period of extra time after Enzo Fernández was sent off.