FIFA has banned three Argentina players on Friday, including a 10-match suspension for midfielder Leandro Paredes, for striking Spain opponents moments after losing the World Cup final. The sanction for Paredes, who grabbed Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat and pushed Gavi to the ground, ranks alongside the FIFA punishment for Uruguay forward Luis Suarez in 2014 as among the most severe in World Cup history.
Detailed Sanctions Against Argentina Players
Argentina defender Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-game ban, while Thiago Almada received a one-game suspension. FIFA imposed fines of $90,000 on Paredes and Molina, and $30,000 for Almada. The bans stem from an incident that occurred immediately after the final whistle, when several Argentina players confronted Spanish opponents.
The ban for Paredes is effectively a one-year expulsion from the Argentina team, as the FIFA calendar for national team schedules includes 10 games through June 2027. All of those games could be friendlies, with no competitive games currently scheduled.
Spain's Gavi and Coach Roberto Ayala Also Punished
Spain's Gavi also was banned for one game, which is a Nations League match against England at Wembley on Sept. 26. An Argentina coach, Roberto Ayala, also received a three-game ban and a $30,000 fine for his role in the altercation.
Fines and Additional Measures for Argentina Federation
The Argentina soccer federation was fined $110,000 for a range of incidents during the World Cup, including players carrying a political banner about the Falkland Islands after the semifinal win against England, and discriminatory chants by fans. The federation also was ordered by FIFA to spend $100,000 on anti-racism projects.
Argentina received $34 million in World Cup prize money from FIFA. The sanctions reflect FIFA's strict stance on player conduct and the federation's responsibilities during the tournament.
