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Paredes’ 10-Game Ban
FIFA sanctioned Argentina after the World Cup 2026 final against Spain, handing midfielder Leandro Paredes a 10-match suspension for his role in the post-match brawl in New York/New Jersey.
“Leandro Paredes has been handed a 10-game ban”
The Independent said Paredes was seen throwing his opponent Gavi to the ground in a post-match brawl after Spain emerged victorious in the final, and it also described Paredes grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat and hurling Gavi to the ground.
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FIFA also banned Nahuel Molina for seven games and imposed a fine of $90,000, while it sanctioned Thiago Almada and Roberto Ayala with a match ban and a three-game ban respectively, as the disciplinary committee investigation followed the incident.
The Guardian reported that the bans covered three Argentina players for their part in the brawl at the end of the final against Spain, while it also said the Argentinian football association (AFA) was fined $321,000 for the Falkland Islands banner after the semi-final win over England.
Sky Sports added that Paredes was involved in ugly scenes after Argentina’s extra-time loss to Spain in New York/New Jersey, grabbing opponent Eric Garcia by the throat and then pushing Spain’s unused sub Gavi to the ground.
FIFA’s Rationale and Appeals
FIFA’s disciplinary committee action followed a procedure that The Independent said was set up after the day after the final, with the investigation finding breaches of its code throughout the incident.
The Independent also quoted Barcelona midfielder Gavi’s teammate Leandro Paredes’ context through a statement from the Spanish midfielder Gavi, who had pleaded with the FIFA committee to not suspend Paredes, saying, "I don’t think (Paredes) should be suspended."
The Guardian said FIFA ordered Argentina to play its next home match at 50% capacity, with a 50% capacity restriction at a further match suspended, and it reported that $100,000 of the fine was suspended.
Sky Sports reported that FIFA rules ban all political messaging at games and tied the $321,000 fine for the Falklands banner to discrimination and racist abuse by fans.
The Independent said the bans for all players will be served in their teams’ next matches, meaning Gavi will miss the world champions’ Nations League match against England in September.
Argentina’s Next Matches
Beyond player bans, FIFA punished the Argentine Football Association (AFA) for incidents tied to the Falklands banner and supporter behavior, with The Independent saying the AFA is constrained to pay 310 000 dollars for “utilisation de l’événement sportif à titre de manifestation non sportive” and other categories.
“It read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas””
The Guardian specified the banner text as “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” and said the fine also covered breaches by Argentina supporters of FIFA’s anti-discrimination regulations at other World Cup matches.
Al Jazeera reported that FIFA banned three Argentina players, including a 10-match suspension for Paredes, and it said the ban for Paredes is effectively a one-year expulsion from the Argentina team because the FIFA calendar includes 10 games through June 2027.
Al Jazeera also said Spain’s Gavi was banned for one game, which it described as a Nations League match against England at Wembley on September 26, while it reported Roberto Ayala received a three-game ban and a $30,000 fine.
Foot Mercato added that the FIFA Commission de Discipline gave the verdict with a suspension of 10 matches for Leandro Paredes and 7 for Nahuel Molina, and it said the federation was condemned to pay an amende de 275 000 euros.