FIFA has imposed significant sanctions on three Argentine players following a post-match altercation after the World Cup final against Spain. Among those penalized is midfielder Leandro Paredes, who received a ten-match suspension for his involvement in the scuffle that occurred on July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Severe Penalties for Argentine Players

Paredes was found guilty of grabbing Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat and pushing Gavi to the ground, actions that have drawn comparisons to past severe sanctions in World Cup history, such as Luis Suarez's bans in 2014. Alongside Paredes, defender Nahuel Molina received a seven-match ban, while Thiago Almada was handed a one-game suspension. In addition to the suspensions, FIFA levied fines of US$90,000 on both Paredes and Molina, while Almada was fined US$30,000.

The ten-match suspension for Paredes effectively sidelines him from the Argentina national team for one year, as it encompasses ten matches scheduled through June 2027, which may include only friendly matches with no competitive fixtures currently planned.

Additional Sanctions and Appeals

Spain's Gavi also received a one-game ban, which will see him miss a Nations League match against England on September 26. Furthermore, Argentina's coach Roberto Ayala was suspended for three games and fined US$30,000. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) faced a fine of US$110,000 for various incidents during the tournament, including players displaying a political banner and discriminatory chants from fans. Additionally, FIFA mandated that the AFA allocate US$100,000 towards anti-racism initiatives.

The AFA plans to appeal the sanctions and fines, stating that their legal department will seek the grounds for the rulings from FIFA to pursue appeals with the governing body's committee, with the option to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if necessary.

In historical context, Paredes' ten-match ban is comparable to the penalties faced by players like Josip Simunic, who received a similar suspension in 2013 for leading fans in a pro-Nazi chant. The incidents following the World Cup final have drawn significant attention, highlighting the ongoing challenges of player conduct and the repercussions that follow.