Argentina's Leandro Paredes slapped with long ban by FIFA after World Cup final fights

FIFA has imposed significant punishments on Argentina's Leandro Paredes and several of his teammates following the World Cup final, where they engaged in violent clashes with Spain players. Paredes, the banned midfielder, faces a 10-match ban and a $90,000 fine for grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestling Spain's Gavi to the ground.

His teammate Nahuel Molina will serve a seven-match ban and pay a $90,000 fine, while Thiago Almada receives a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine. Roberto Ayala, the Argentinian coach, is suspended for three matches and fined $30,000. Spain's Gavi faces a one-match ban and $30,000 fine for his involvement in the fracas. These actions were spurred by Argentina's defeat in the final, which ended 1-0 in Spain's favor, after their victory in extra time.

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has also been sanctioned with a $321,000 fine for using a sporting event to make non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters. The AFA plans to appeal these sanctions.