FIFA accepts Argentina's request to serve World Cup final suspensions in friendlies

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has successfully lobbied FIFA to allow players suspended following the World Cup final incidents to serve their bans in friendly matches.

This decision is a significant win for the AFA and head coach Lionel Scaloni, who will be able to recall suspended players sooner. Notably, Leandro Paredes, who received a ten-match ban, and Nahuel Molina, suspended for seven games, will be eligible for official matches after completing their sanctions in friendlies. Thiago Almada, with a one-match suspension, also benefits from this ruling.

The AFA had formally requested FIFA in Zurich that the sanctions imposed on the players and the association itself be served in "Class A and/or official matches, whichever occurs first." The FIFA Disciplinary Committee approved this request, stating it conforms with current regulations.

Despite this approval, the AFA indicated it is awaiting the full reasoning behind the decisions to potentially file appeals with FIFA's Appeals Committee and, ultimately, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS). The association also incurred several fines during the World Cup, including for displaying the Malvinas flag, inappropriate spectator conduct, and racist, homophobic, and discriminatory chants by Argentine fans. These fines total hundreds of thousands of dollars, with some conditional on future behavior and requiring investment in anti-discrimination initiatives.