Argentina’s Leandro Paredes banned for 10 games after World Cup final chaos
By BBC, August 21, 2026Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has been handed a 10-match ban for his role in the on-field clashes that followed Argentina’s 1-0 defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee also handed Paredes’ teammate Nahuel Molina a seven-match suspension, with both players fined Ksh12.5 million.
Argentina have also been ordered to play their next two home matches at 50 per cent capacity, although one match of the sanction has been suspended.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has been fined Ksh44.6 million for breaches of FIFA’s disciplinary code relating to the use of a sporting event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters.
FIFA ordered that Ksh13 million of the fine be invested in a plan to combat discrimination, while another Ksh13.9 million has been suspended with a probationary period applying.
The sanctions follow incidents surrounding Argentina’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup.
After their 2-1 semi-final victory over England, several Argentina players held up a banner claiming Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory.
Final clash punished
FIFA had appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess the scenes that followed the final whistle at the New York New Jersey Stadium, where several Argentina players and members of the coaching staff were involved in altercations with Spain players.
Paredes was found to have grabbed Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestled Gavi to the ground before appearing to strike the midfielder in the face.
Gavi, who said he did not believe Paredes should be punished, was handed a one-match suspension and fined Ksh4.17 million for his role in the post-match confrontations.
Argentina’s Thiago Almada also received a one-match suspension and a Ksh4.17 million fine.
Roberto Ayala, a member of Argentina’s coaching staff, was handed a three-match suspension and fined Ksh4.17 million for striking Spain’s Dani Olmo in the face.
AFA plans appeal
The match suspensions will only be enforced in international fixtures.
The AFA has said it will appeal the sanctions and, if unsuccessful, will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The punishment marks a significant response from FIFA to the incidents surrounding the World Cup final, which was watched by a global television audience estimated at 1.5 billion people.
Paredes and Molina now face lengthy international suspensions, while Argentina must also deal with the financial and stadium sanctions imposed on the federation.
The disciplinary action brings a formal response to the chaotic scenes that overshadowed the end of the World Cup final, after Spain secured a 1-0 victory over the reigning champions.