ZÚRICH (AP) — FIFA has banned Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes for 10 matches for his role in the brawl that marred the World Cup final against Spain, a disciplinary crackdown that also swept up teammates Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada, as well as assistant coach Roberto Ayala.
The sanctions, announced Friday, stem from the ugly scenes after Spain’s 1-0 victory in the final last month. Paredes received the heaviest punishment: a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine. Molina, the right-back, was banned for seven games and fined the same amount, while Almada picked up a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine.
Ayala, a former international defender now working on Lionel Scaloni’s staff, was suspended for three matches and fined $30,000. Spanish midfielder Gavi was also hit with a one-game suspension and a $30,000 fine for his part in the melee.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was fined $321,000 for the display of a banner referencing the Falkland Islands after the semifinal win over England, and was ordered to play its next two home matches with only 50% capacity. The federation said it will appeal to FIFA’s appeals committee and, if necessary, take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The brawl itself was an ugly end to a tournament that had been hailed for its sporting excellence. Video showed Paredes clashing with Spain players, while Molina appeared to strike Rodri. Gavi, meanwhile, was cited for shoving Eric García. The disciplinary committee, clearly unimpressed, handed down suspensions that will rule all three Argentines out of international duty for some time.
Gavi, for his part, tried to downplay the incident, saying he didn’t think Paredes should be suspended. “I understand it’s not a good image for children, but there is also that part of football that is a bit more physical, more aggressive,” the Barcelona midfielder said. “The most logical thing would have been to send him off during the match and that’s it.” His Spain teammate Dani Olmo took a harder line on Ayala, saying the Argentine coach “doesn’t regret it, he lacks truth.”
The sanctions recall the 2014 World Cup, when Luis Suárez was banned for nine matches and four months for biting Italy‘s Giorgio Chiellini. That ban, which included a fine of over 80,000 euros, was handed down by FIFA’s disciplinary committee and remains one of the heaviest in World Cup history. Paredes’ suspension, at 10 matches, exceeds even that.
Argentina’s appeal means the case could drag on for weeks, but the message from FIFA is clear: brawling on the biggest stage carries a heavy price.
