FIFA Hands Argentina Players Heavy Bans Over World Cup Final Clash

FIFA has imposed a series of suspensions and fines on Argentina players and officials following clashes with Spain players after the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

Midfielder Leandro Paredes received the heaviest punishment, with FIFA banning him for 10 international matches and imposing a $90,000 fine. Paredes was sanctioned for his involvement in the post-match confrontation, including an incident involving Spain defender Eric Garcia and midfielder Gavi.

Argentina teammate Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-match suspension and fined $90,000, while Thiago Almada received a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine.

Argentina coaching staff member Roberto Ayala was also suspended for three matches and fined $30,000.

Spain midfielder Gavi, who was involved in the confrontation, received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine.

Argentina Also Hit With Stadium Sanction

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has been fined $321,000 for several disciplinary breaches, including team misconduct, discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters, and the use of a sporting event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature.

Argentina have also been ordered to play their next two home matches with stadium capacity reduced to 50 percent. However, one of the two matches is subject to a suspended sanction.

The disciplinary action follows a tense final in which Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal.

Falklands Banner Also Investigated

FIFA's disciplinary proceedings also covered an incident involving several Argentina players after their 2-1 semi-final victory over England. The players displayed a banner carrying the message “The Falklands are Argentine”, referring to the disputed South Atlantic islands known in Argentina as the Malvinas.

The Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom lasted 74 days in 1982 and resulted in the deaths of 655 Argentine and 255 British servicemen, as well as three island residents.

AFA Plans Appeal

The AFA has announced that it intends to challenge the sanctions. The association said it would request FIFA's detailed grounds for the rulings before submitting appeals to the FIFA Appeals Committee.

FIFA appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the incidents following the final whistle.

The sanctions represent a significant disciplinary setback for Argentina, with several key players now facing lengthy international suspensions.