FIFA World Cup Final Chaos: Leandro Paredes Gets 10-Game Ban After Argentina-Spain Post-Match Brawl

FIFA has issued lengthy bans and substantial fines to several Argentina players, including a 10-game suspension for Leandro Paredes, following clashes with Spain players after the World Cup final. The Argentinian Football Association also faces a hefty fine and sanctions for team misconduct and political demonstrations by players and fans.

Midfielder Leandro Paredes and several Argentina team-mates have received bans and fines for their part in clashes with Spain players at the World Cup final, FIFA said on Friday.

In the strongest punishment handed down by world football's governing body, Paredes was banned for 10 international games and fined $90,000.

He grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestled Spain's Gavi to the ground while holding his substitute's bib, which led to an escalation in the incidents on the field after the final that Spain won 1-0 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

Heavy Sanctions Handed Down

Paredes' teammate Nahuel Molina received a seven-match ban and must also pay a fine of $90,000, while Thiago Almada was suspended for one match and fined $30,000.

Roberto Ayala, a member of Argentina's coaching team, was given a three-match suspension and a fine of $30,000.

Gavi was banned for a match and also fined $30,000 for his role in the fracas that erupted after holders Argentina were defeated thanks to Ferran Torres' goal in extra time.

Argentina have also been ordered to play their next two home matches with capacity reduced to 50 percent, though one match of that sanction is suspended.

🚨 OFFICIAL: FIFA suspensions following post Argentina-Spain clash, including 10 games ban for Paredes, 7 for Nahuel Molina and 1 for Pablo Gavi.

🇦🇷 Paredes: 10-game ban + $90,000 fine
🇦🇷 Molina: 7-game ban + $90,000 fine
🇦🇷 Almada: 1-game ban + $30,000 fine
🇦🇷 Ayala: 3-game ban… pic.twitter.com/FP8YWumcc7

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2026

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

FIFA Punishes Argentina Players Over Falklands Banner

After Lionel Messi's Argentina beat England 2-1 in a tense World Cup semi-final, several Argentina players held up a banner saying: "The Falklands are Argentine".

Argentine forces invaded the British overseas territory in the southwest Atlantic Ocean in 1982, which resulted in then-British prime minister Margaret Thatcher sending a naval task force to reclaim them.

The resulting conflict, which lasted for 74 days from April to June 1982, led to the deaths of 655 Argentine and 255 British servicemen. Three people from the islands also died.

The AFA said it would appeal the suspensions and fines.

The AFA said in a statement it would "request from FIFA the grounds for the rulings that are subject to review in order to file appeals before the Appeals Committee".

FIFA had appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to examine the incidents after the final whistle.