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FIFA has suspended Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for 10 matches and teammate Nahuel Molina for seven matches over post-match clashes with Spain players after the 2026 World Cup final.
According to BBC Sport on Friday, the sanctions follow FIFA’s investigation into the incidents at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 19, after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the World Cup.
Paredes was found to have been involved in clashes with Spain players, while Molina was accused of striking Spain captain Rodri during the celebrations.
FIFA had opened disciplinary proceedings against Paredes on three assault charges and Molina on two assault charges, alongside a separate allegation of unsporting behaviour.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has also been fined $321,000 (£243,000) over several disciplinary breaches linked to the tournament.
The breaches included discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters, misconduct involving the team and the use of a sporting event for non-sporting demonstrations.
The AFA has also been ordered to play its next two home matches with spectator restrictions, with one match of the sanction suspended.
The punishment also covers a political banner displayed by Argentina players after their 2-1 semi-final victory over England.
The banner expressed Argentina’s claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Islas Malvinas.
FIFA considered the display a possible breach of its rules against using sporting events for non-sporting demonstrations.
The sanctions bring a disciplinary end to a turbulent finish to Argentina’s World Cup campaign, following Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory in the final on July 19.
