FIFA has recently announced the suspension of three Argentina players following an incident after the World Cup final against Spain. Midfielder Leandro Paredes received a 10-match ban for his actions, which involved grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat and pushing Gavi to the ground. This ban is one of the most severe in World Cup history, comparable to the sanctions imposed on Luis Suarez in 2014.
Additionally, defender Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-game suspension, while Thiago Almada received a one-game ban. Paredes and Molina were fined $90,000 each, and Almada was fined $30,000 by FIFA.
Paredes’ suspension effectively sidelines him from the Argentina team for a year due to the national team’s scheduled games until June 2027, which currently consist of friendlies with no competitive fixtures in sight.
Spain’s Gavi also faced a one-game ban for an upcoming Nations League match against England. Furthermore, Argentina coach Roberto Ayala received a three-game ban and a $30,000 fine.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was fined $110,000 for various incidents during the World Cup, including players displaying a political banner about the Falkland Islands and discriminatory chants by fans. FIFA also mandated that AFA invest $100,000 in anti-racism initiatives. Argentina received $34 million in prize money from the World Cup.
AFA has the option to appeal the sanctions and fines to FIFA, and potentially to the Court of Arbitration for Sport at a later stage. In a statement, the federation expressed its intent to contest the rulings through the appropriate channels.
This incident draws parallels to past cases, such as Luis Suarez’s ban in 2014 for biting an opponent and Josip Simunic’s suspension in 2013 for controversial behavior during a World Cup qualifying match.
The altercations at the recent World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were classified by FIFA as assault cases. Following Argentina’s loss to Spain, FIFA disciplinary judges also mandated that Argentina’s next home game be played in a stadium at 50% capacity, with the possibility of further sanctions and a probationary period.
