FIFA bans Argentine star Paredes for ten matches after World Cup final brawl

FIFA banned three Argentine players on Friday following their violent conduct after losing the World Cup final against Spain. Midfielder Leandro Paredes faces a ten-match suspension for striking opponents. He grabbed Eric Garcia of Spain by the throat and shoved Gavi to the ground. This penalty ranks alongside Luis Suarez's 2014 sanctions as one of the harshest punishments in World Cup history.

Defender Nahuel Molina received a seven-game ban, while Thiago Almada got a one-game suspension. Paredes and Molina each faced fines of $90,000. Almada was fined $30,000. The ten-match ban effectively expels Paredes from the national team for a year since the FIFA calendar lists games through June 2027. None of these upcoming fixtures are currently scheduled as competitive matches.

Spain's Gavi also received a one-game suspension. His missed match is a Nations League game against England at Wembley on Sept. 26. Coach Roberto Ayala got a three-game ban and a $30,000 fine. The Argentine Football Association faced an $110,000 penalty for various incidents. Players carried a political banner about the Falkland Islands after beating England in the semifinal. Fans used discriminatory chants during the tournament.

The federation must spend $100,000 on anti-racism projects as ordered by FIFA. Argentina received $34 million in prize money from FIFA. The AFA can appeal these rulings to the governing body's committee. They retain the right to seek a final decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Josip Simunic of Croatia faced a ten-game ban in 2013 after leading chants referencing pro-Nazi slogans during a qualifying playoff. Luis Suarez was banned from all soccer for four months and eight competition games in 2014 for biting Giorgio Chiellini. The clashes at the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were charged as assault cases by FIFA judges.

Argentina lost the match after being outplayed and creating few scoring chances. Ferran Torres scored the only goal in extra time's second period. Enzo Fernandez was sent off before that moment. FIFA ordered Argentina to play its next home game with stadium capacity limited to 50 percent. The organization deferred a second stadium sanction and a $100,000 fine for probationary periods.