FIFA hands out strong punishment to Argentina players after ugly World Cup final scenes
Argentina player Leandro Paredes has been handed a 10-match suspension and fined $90,000 for his conduct after the World Cup final defeat to Spain.
But the midfielder is far from the only Argentina squad member to be punished for his actions following the 1-0 defeat in New Jersey on July 19, with FIFA publishing their imposed sanctions over a month on from the game on August 21.
Following Ferran Torres' extra-time winner, Paredes was seen grabbing Spanish defender Eric Garcia by the throat and then shoved midfielder Gavi to the ground in ugly scenes to conclude the World Cup.
The 32-year-old's punishment has been handed out following a report from an appointed Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor, who has also moved to sanction three more players and a team official.
The full list of Argentina players sanctioned and their punishments, via FIFA, is:
- Leandro Paredes (player): a ten-match suspension and a fine of USD 90,000.
- Nahuel Molina (player): a seven-match suspension and a fine of USD 90,000.
- Thiago Almada (player): a one-match suspension and a fine of USD 30,000.
- Roberto Ayala (team official): a three-match suspension and a fine of USD 30,000.
- Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (player): a one-match suspension and a fine of USD 30,000.
Meanwhile, Gavi was also given a one-game ban and a $30,000 fine.
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Their suspensions are carried over to the next official matches their teams play, with the next international break coming in September.
Argentina punished for Falklands banner
Elsewhere, FIFA announced the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has also been fined a combined $321,000 for breaches of articles against using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, discrimination and racist abuse and order and security at matches.
They have been ordered to play their next two home fixtures with a reduced capacity of 50 per cent, with anti-discrimination measures included in the seating plan for those games.
However, one of those matches is suspended, as is $100,000 of their fine. Another $100,000 of it must be spent on a FIFA-approved plan to combat discrimination within six months.
Argentina won $34 million in prize money during the World Cup.
The breaches of using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature is in relation to the unfurling of a banner which read, 'The Falklands are Ours' in Spanish following their semi-final victory over England.
It sparked fury in England and there had been calls from some, like Lib Dem leader Ed Davey, for the players who held the banner to be banned from the final, but they were allowed to play and have escaped any further individual punishment.
That's despite the fact Spanish pair Rodri and Álvaro Morata were handed suspensions in 2024 for singing political songs about Gibraltar, among other examples.
The parties have the right to appeal the decision and the AFA have indicated their intention to do so, writing in a statement: "In light of the notifications received, and in defence of the rights of the Association and its footballers, the AFA Legal Department will, in due course, request from FIFA the grounds for the rulings that are reviewable in order to file appeals before the Appeals Committee of the governing body of world football, leaving in the future the possibility of appealing to the CAS as a last resort."
In their statement, the AFA revealed the charges of racism and discrimination were due to chants and insults made by Argentinian fans during matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, England, and Spain.
How Parades reacted after the World Cup final
Following the World Cup final, Paredes released a statement on social media but avoided talking about his role in sparking the post-match brawl.
“THANK YOU ARGENTINA !!! I LOVE YOU TODAY AND ALWAYS,” he wrote in the Instagram caption.
“Today it's time to write with a lot of pain in the soul for not having been able to give them that joy that our country so deserves, but with the chest full of pride for giving everything we had and leaving our flag again on the highest!
“Thanks to everyone who was part of this selection, to this group of players who gave their lives to represent this shirt as it did until the last second of each game!
“It was an honour to be part of the best Argentinian national team in history!!”
Paredes was in another on-pitch altercation while back playing for his club in August after kicking the ball at a downed opponent.
LADbible has contacted the FA for comment.
Daniel Murphy