Argentina's Paredes banned for 10 games after World Cup clashes
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Leandro Paredes received a 10-match ban from FIFA's disciplinary committee for his role in post-match clashes after Argentina's 1-0 World Cup final defeat to Spain, including grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestling Gavi to the ground.
- Nahuel Molina was handed a 7-match suspension and a $90,000 (£66,000) fine, with all match bans enforceable only in international fixtures.
- The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was fined $321,000 (£235,000) for breaches including team misconduct, discriminatory chants and gestures, and using a sports event for non-sporting demonstrations, and was ordered to play its next two home matches at 50% capacity (one sanction suspended).
- FIFA's punishment also cited Argentina's post-match banner after their 2-1 semi-final win over England declaring "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" — a sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory.
- Gavi (who opposed Paredes' punishment) and Thiago Almada each received 1-match bans and $30,000 fines, while coaching staff member Roberto Ayala got a 3-match ban and $30,000 fine for striking Spain's Dani Olmo.
- The AFA said it will appeal the sanctions and, if unsuccessful, take its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Why it matters: Argentina loses Paredes for 10 international matches and Molina for seven, but the suspensions apply only to international fixtures — domestic club play is unaffected. The AFA plans to appeal to CAS, meaning the saga could drag on, while $100,000 of the $321,000 fine is mandatory investment in an anti-discrimination plan and another $100,000 is suspended on probation.
Ask SkimNews
