FIFA bans Paredes 10 games, three Argentina players for final scuffle

FIFA has banned three Argentina players for their roles in a scuffle with Spain after losing the World Cup final, with midfielder Leandro Paredes receiving a 10-match suspension — among the most severe in World Cup history Source: AP News. The ban stems from Paredes grabbing Spain's Eric García by the throat and pushing Gavi to the ground Source: Al Jazeera. Defender Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-game ban, and Thiago Almada a one-game suspension, with fines of $90,000 for Paredes and Molina and $30,000 for Almada Source: CNN. Spain's Gavi was also banned for one game, a Nations League match against England on September 26 Source: AP News. Argentina coach Roberto Ayala received a three-game ban and a $30,000 fine Source: CNN.

Sanctions and fines

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was fined $110,000 for incidents including a political banner about the Falkland Islands and discriminatory chants by fans, and ordered to spend $100,000 on anti-racism projects Source: AP News. FIFA also ordered Argentina to play its next home game in a stadium limited to 50% capacity Source: CNN.

Context and appeal

Paredes' ban is effectively a one-year expulsion from the national team, as the FIFA calendar includes 10 games through June 2027, all of which could be friendlies Source: Al Jazeera. The ban equals that of Croatia's Josip Šimunić in 2013 Source: CNN. AFA can appeal to FIFA and later to the Court of Arbitration for Sport Source: AP News. The scuffle occurred after Argentina lost a testy final to Spain, with Ferran Torres scoring the only goal in extra time after Enzo Fernández was sent off Source: Euronews.