FIFA Bans Argentina's Leandro Paredes 10 Games Over World Cup Final Brawl

ZURICH —

FIFA's disciplinary committee has banned Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for 10 international matches, one of the longest suspensions in World Cup history, for his role in a brawl that broke out after Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain, according to reporting by the BBC, the Guardian and France 24.

Spain won the final 1-0 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. At the final whistle, Paredes grabbed Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestled Gavi to the ground, appearing to strike him in the face, the BBC reported. FIFA fined Paredes $90,000 (£66,000) on top of the ban, which will only apply to international fixtures, according to the BBC.

Argentina defender Nahuel Molina received a seven-match ban and a $90,000 fine after appearing to punch Spain's Rodri, the match's most valuable player, as Rodri ran to celebrate, the BBC reported. Midfielder Thiago Almada was banned for one match and fined $30,000. Roberto Ayala, a member of Argentina's coaching staff, was banned three matches and fined $30,000 for striking Spain's Dani Olmo, according to the BBC. Spain's Gavi also received a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine. Gavi told reporters he did not think Paredes should be punished, the BBC reported.

A banner and a bigger fine

The Argentine Football Association, known as the AFA, was fined $321,000 for violations that included using the tournament for a non-sporting demonstration, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by its fans, according to the BBC and France 24. The demonstration stemmed from a banner Argentina players held up after beating England 2-1 in the semifinal on July 15. It read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas," meaning "the Falkland Islands are Argentine," a reference to the British overseas territory Argentina invaded in 1982 in a war that killed 655 Argentine and 255 British servicemen, France 24 reported.

The banner drew criticism from British politicians, including Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, who called for the players involved to be suspended, according to the Guardian. The AFA later declared July 15 a national holiday it is calling National Football Teams Day, the Guardian reported.

FIFA ordered $100,000 of the AFA's fine put toward an anti-discrimination program and suspended the remaining $100,000, according to the BBC. Argentina must also play its next two home matches at 50% stadium capacity, though one of those restrictions is suspended. The AFA said it will appeal the sanctions and take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if the appeal fails, the BBC reported.