FIFA sanctions Argentina over brawl at World Cup final game

On Aug 22, 2026

Argentina’s defeat in the football World Cup final defeat has come with a costly post-match hangover. FIFA has imposed a ban on Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes and a hefty fine for sparking a brawl after his side’s loss to Spain. His teammate Nahuel Molina has been similarly disciplined in a series of a decisions by the FIFA disciplinary committee. Story by Nick Rushworth.

Video Transcript

Argentina’s World Cup drama is continuing well beyond the final whistle.

Players Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina have been disciplined for sparking a brawl following the World Cup final against Spain in the United States just over a month ago.

Spain won one-nil in extra time.

With the match over, Molina struck Spanish midfielder Rodri, and Paredes clashed with Spanish players Garcia and Gavi, grabbing the former by the throat.

FIFA, in a review of that incident, says it is suspending Paredes for 10 matches and has given Molina a seven-match ban.

Both players have been fined ninety thousand dollars each.

Another Argentine player and a team official were also disciplined, as was Spain’s Gavi, who was given a one-match suspension and fined thirty thousand dollars.

FIFA has also decided that the Argentine Football Association will have to pay out a three hundred and twenty-one thousand dollar fine for various violations, including using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature.

The Argentine players, after their victory over England in their semifinal, unfurled a banner on the pitch proclaiming that the Falklands are Argentine, a reference to the United Kingdom’s nineteen eighty-two war with Argentina over possession of the islands.

Crédito: Link de origem