Argentina players banned for combined 18 games over World Cup brawl
The brawl came after the final whistle had just blown in New Jersey, with Spain winning 1-0
FIFA has imposed a 10-game ban on Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for engaging in a physical altercation with Spain players following their World Cup final loss. The ban, which effectively suspends Paredes from the Argentina national team until June 2027, places him alongside some of the most severe sanctions in World Cup history, similar to the 2014 FIFA sanctions against Uruguay's Luis Suarez.
In addition to Paredes, Argentina defender Nahuel Molina received a seven-game ban and Thiago Almada a one-game suspension. Spain's Jordi Gavi also faced a one-game ban, which is a match against England in a Nations League fixture on September 26.
The Argentina coach, Roberto Ayala, and the Argentine Football Federation (AFF) were also penalized. Ayala received a three-game ban and a fine of $30,000, while the AFF was fined $110,000 for various infractions, including players displaying a political banner about the Falkland Islands and the use of discriminatory chants by fans. The AFF was also ordered to invest $100,000 in anti-racism initiatives.
Argentina received $34 million in prize money from FIFA for their participation in the World Cup. The national federation can appeal the sanctions and fines to FIFA and potentially to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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