Argentina players and coach sanctioned by FIFA after World Cup final incidents
FIFA sanctions Argentina and Spain personnel
FIFA has issued sanctions against several individuals from Argentina and Spain following incidents that occurred after the World Cup final. Among the most significant penalties, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes received a 10-match ban. This decision was announced by FIFA on Friday, alongside other disciplinary actions.
The disciplinary measures stem from a scuffle involving players from both teams immediately after Spain secured a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final. The confrontation led to multiple suspensions and fines for those involved.
In addition to Paredes, Argentina defender Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven matches, and Thiago Almada received a one-match ban. These three players were among those punished from the Argentina squad. The sanctions also extended to the coaching staff, with Lionel Scaloni’s assistant, Roberto Ayala, receiving a three-match ban.
Spain midfielder Gavi also faced disciplinary action, receiving a one-match ban for his involvement in the post-match events. FIFA imposed varying fines on the players and team officials, with the amounts determined by the severity of their respective punishments.
Argentine Football Association appeals sanctions
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has begun preparing an appeal against the penalties imposed by FIFA. The association is particularly focused on reducing the bans for Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina, according to Andrés Patón Urich, director of legal affairs at the AFA. The appeal strategy reportedly draws on a precedent set by Lionel Messi in 2017, when a four-match ban was overturned after he had served only one match due to a lack of conclusive evidence.
The AFA’s appeal process will first involve lodging a formal appeal with FIFA’s Appeal Committee. If this step does not yield the desired outcome, the association has the option to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which serves as the highest independent international body for resolving sports disputes.
Beyond the player suspensions, FIFA also imposed a substantial fine of 321,000 dollars on the Argentine Football Association. This fine was partly related to the display of a Falkland Islands flag after Argentina’s 2-1 victory over England, as well as the incidents following the World Cup final. Of the total fine, 10,000 dollars was specifically attributed to the Falkland Islands banner incident, a figure lower than initial estimates.
Furthermore, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee mandated that Argentina must play their next two home matches with a crowd capacity capped at 50 per cent. This crowd reduction applies specifically to qualifier matches and not to friendly games. Approximately 100,000 dollars of the total fines will be allocated towards an anti-discrimination programme, as explained by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee. A portion of the penalty, including one match and 100,000 dollars of the fine, has been suspended under a probationary period.
Impact on upcoming fixtures and financial implications
The precise impact of these bans on Argentina’s upcoming fixtures will depend on when FIFA officially applies the suspensions. Leandro Paredes’s 10-match ban is the longest among the disciplinary actions, while Nahuel Molina will miss seven matches. Thiago Almada’s one-match suspension is the shortest among the three Argentina players sanctioned.
The financial implications for the Argentine Football Association are notable, with the total fines reaching 321,000 dollars. As runners-up in the World Cup, Argentina had previously banked a total of 33 million dollars.
The AFA’s legal team is actively working on their defence file to contest these decisions, aiming to mitigate the impact of the suspensions on key players. The appeal process will determine the final outcome of these disciplinary actions.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Priya Menon 