Paredes hit with 10-match ban by FIFA

Paredes hit with 10-match ban

FIFA has hit Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes with a 10-match ban for the role he played in the on-field brawl after the 2026 World Cup final.

Paredes grabbed Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat and pushed unused substitute Gavi to the ground after Argentina's 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in New York/New Jersey.

Molina also sanctioned

Team-mate Nahuel Molina also received a seven-match suspension from FIFA's disciplinary committee for his part in the same fracas. Molina had attempted to knock over Spain captain Rodri as the midfielder celebrated.

Capacity sanction and fine

As part of the sanctions handed down by FIFA, Argentina have also been ordered to play their next two home matches at 50% capacity, though one match of that sanction is suspended.

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has been fined $321,000 (£243,000) for breaches of the FIFA disciplinary code relating to using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by its supporters.

The Falklands banner

After their 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup semi-final, several Argentina players held up a banner claiming Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory.

The banner read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" — "The Falklands are Argentine" — and was displayed on the pitch after the final whistle.

How the investigation began

Last month FIFA appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess what happened after the final whistle at the New York New Jersey Stadium, when multiple Argentina players and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spain players.

Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time to clinch their second FIFA World Cup title in New York/New Jersey.