FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina stars banned over World Cup final fight, Leandro Paredes ten-match ban, four players suspended, $321,000 fine issued for Falkland Islands banner, latest news

Four Argentina players have been suspended after FIFA handed down heavy sanctions for the ugly fight that followed their World Cup final loss to Spain.

Football’s governing body announced in the days following the final, which Spain won 1-0 for their second title, that they were undertaking a disciplinary investigation after several La Albiceleste players reacted to defeat by sparking a stoush with their Spanish counterparts after the final whistle.

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Midfielder Leandro Paredes grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestled Gavi to the ground while holding his substitute’s bib, which led to an escalation in the incidents on the field.

The 32-year old was the hardest hit by the sanctions, receiving a ten-match suspension from international fixtures while also fined $90,000.

The punishment rivals Uruguay great Luis Suarez’s ban from the 2014 tournament as the harshest in World Cup history – Suarez was given a nine-match suspension, was banned from all football for four months, and fined a little over $100,000 for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Paredes’ teammate Nahuel Molina, who appeared to punch a Spanish player in the stomach, received a seven-match ban and must also pay a fine of $90,000.

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Thiago Almada, who initially sparked the stoush along with Paredes, was suspended for one match and fined $30,000.

Roberto Ayala, a member of Argentina’s coaching team, was given a three-match suspension and a fine of $30,000.

Gavi was banned for a match and also fined $30,000 for his role in the fracas, which erupted after the defending champions were defeated thanks to Ferran Torres’ goal in extra time.

However, Argentina have no competitive international matches currently scheduled, making it possible for the entirety of the suspensions for each player and coach to be served in friendlies.

Additionally, the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) was fined $321,000 over their use of a controversial banner claiming ownership of the Falkland Islands following their semi-final win over England.

$100,000 of that will be suspended, while another $100,000 must be “invested in a plan to combat discrimination”, according to a FIFA statement.

After La Albiceleste overcame the Three Lions 2-1 in a tense encounter to clinch a spot in the final, several players held up a banner saying: “The Falklands are Argentine”.

The fine was handed down for breaches of FIFA’s disciplinary code relating to using a sports event for making demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by its supporters.

However, they made $34 million for reaching the World Cup final, minimising the fine’s impact.

Argentina have also been ordered to play their next two home matches with capacity reduced to 50 per cent, though one match of that sanction is suspended, over “discriminatory chants and gestures” by supporters.

The AFA said it would appeal the suspensions and fines, claiming they will “request from FIFA the grounds for the rulings that are subject to review in order to file appeals before the Appeals Committee”.

FIFA had appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to examine the incidents after the final whistle.