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FIFA imposes severe penalties on Argentine players after World Cup final

Leandro Paredes receives a ten-match suspension, and the AFA is fined for an incident during the tournament.

21 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: FIFA imposes severe penalties on Argentine players after World Cup final — Archive photoPhoto: Hossein Zohrevand · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

FIFA has announced significant sanctions for several Argentine players following incidents that occurred at the end of the 2026 World Cup final, where Argentina was defeated by Spain. Leandro Paredes faces a ten-match suspension, the most severe penalty imposed by the international federation due to his conduct at the event.

In addition to Paredes, other Argentine players have also been penalized. Nahuel Molina will be suspended for seven matches, while Thiago Almada and Gavi will each receive a one-match suspension. Roberto Ayala, the assistant coach of the Argentine national team, has been suspended for three matches due to his actions after the match.

The sanctions stem from a series of disturbances that took place after the final whistle, involving confrontations between Argentine and Spanish players. Among the reported incidents, Paredes is noted to have attacked Gavi, while Molina struck Rodri and Ayala hit Olmo, prompting FIFA's intervention.

In addition to the player suspensions, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has been fined for displaying a banner that read 'Malvinas Argentinas' during the semifinal match against England.

According to reports, the AFA is considering appealing against the decisions made by FIFA. The sanctions not only affect the players in terms of absence from future matches, but they also imply significant financial repercussions for the AFA.

FIFA's decisions aim to emphasize the importance of player behavior during official events and the need to maintain discipline in sport. This reflects an effort by FIFA to eradicate violence and inappropriate behaviors in football.

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