FIFA has suspended Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for 10 matches and fined him $90,000 after an investigation into the disorder that followed the World Cup final against Spain. Defenders Nahuel Molina also received a seven-match ban and a $90,000 fine, while team official Roberto Ayala was suspended for three matches and fined $30,000.
Sanctions following final incidents
The sanctions relate to incidents during the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, which Spain won 1-0. After the final whistle, several Argentina players were involved in confrontations with their Spanish opponents. Paredes was sent off after grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat and then becoming involved in a physical altercation with Gavi. Molina appeared to throw a punch at Rodri.
Thiago Almada and Spain's Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, known as Gavi, each received one-match suspensions and fines of $30,000. FIFA had appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate the incidents after the final.
AFA fined and capacity reduced
The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has been fined a total of $321,000 (around £240,000) for a series of breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, including the unfurling of a controversial Falklands banner following the semi-final win over England. Those breaches relate to using a sporting event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, discrimination and racist abuse by supporters, and order and security at matches.
The AFA has also been ordered to play its next two home matches with capacity restricted to 50 per cent. FIFA ruled that $100,000 of the fine must be invested in a plan to combat discrimination. Part of the punishment has been suspended, meaning one of the two reduced-capacity home matches and $100,000 of the fine are subject to a probationary period.
Bans carry into future fixtures
Under Article 69 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the match suspensions will be carried over to the next matches of the relevant representative teams. The total value of the fines imposed on the four Argentines is $240,000, while the AFA has been fined a further $321,000.
The parties were notified of FIFA's decisions on Friday and have 10 days to request a motivated decision. The decisions remain subject to appeal under Article 61 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. FIFA said the motivated decisions will subsequently be published on its legal website if requested by the parties involved.
