FIFA suspends Argentine players Paredes and Molina for World Cup final brawl

Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes has been handed a ten-match suspension by FIFA for his role in incidents during the World Cup final, which Argentina lost 1-0 after extra time to Spain. His teammate Nahuel Molina received a seven-match ban for the same reason, FIFA announced Friday.

Both players were involved in a significant altercation at the conclusion of the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. The incidents reportedly began when Molina fouled Spanish midfielder Rodri. Paredes then became involved, pushing Spaniards Eric Garcia and Gavi to the ground, and grabbing Gavi by the throat.

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Messi, control Paredes. Control him! I don't want to send him off, he has already received a yellow card.

FIFA stated that the match suspensions will be applied to future representative team matches. Two other players, Argentina's Thiago Almada and Spain's Gavi, were suspended for one match each. Roberto Ayala, part of Argentina's coaching staff, received a three-match ban.

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Inadmissible behavior

In addition to player suspensions, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) was fined $321,000, with part of the fine suspended. The AFA was sanctioned for multiple infractions, including using the event for non-sporting demonstrations and inappropriate team behavior. The association must also play its next two home matches with 50% capacity, with one of those games subject to a probationary period.

The sanctions follow the controversial display by Argentine players after their semi-final victory, where they unfurled a banner proclaiming "The Malvinas are Argentine." The Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina, remain a sensitive territorial dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom.

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According to Article 69, paragraphs 2a and 3 of the Disciplinary Code, the match suspensions are postponed to the next matches of the concerned representative teams.