FIFA Bans Leandro Paredes and Fines Argentina After World Cup Final Brawl
The Argentine Football Association has been hit with USD 321,000 in fines and stadium restrictions, alongside major suspensions for players Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina, following disciplinary proceedings opened by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee regarding incidents at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Disciplinary Penalties and Match Suspensions Issued by FIFA
The fallout from the 2026 FIFA World Cup has resulted in extensive financial and competitive penalties. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) faces fines amounting to USD 321,000 for multiple breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. These violations encompass article 13 paragraph 2 c) for using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, article 14 paragraph 5 regarding team misconduct, article 15 concerning discrimination and racist abuse from supporters, and article 17 for order and security at matches.
Compounding the financial penalty, the AFA must play its next two home matches with stadium capacity restricted to 50 percent due to the breaches associated with article 15 of the FDC. Individual sanctions target multiple members of the Argentine contingent following the final against Spain held at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026.
Player Leandro Paredes received a ten-match suspension and a USD 90,000 fine. Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-match suspension and a USD 90,000 fine. Additional penalties include a one-match suspension and a USD 30,000 fine for Thiago Almada, and a three-match suspension alongside a USD 30,000 fine for team official Roberto Ayala. Player Pablo Martín Páez Gavira received a one-match suspension and a USD 30,000 fine for his role in the altercation.
In total, the disciplinary actions account for 22 games in suspensions and $270,000 in individual fines, alongside the AFA’s broader organizational penalties. According to the regulatory framework, these match suspensions carry over to the next matches of the relevant representative teams under article 69 paragraphs 2 a) and 3 of the FDC.
On-Field Altercations and Regulatory Precedents
The disciplinary measures stem from an ugly conclusion to the tournament in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Moments after Argentina lost to Spain in the World Cup Final on July 19, 2026, Leandro Paredes struck Spain player Eric Garcia in the throat, sending him to the ground, before shoving Spain player Gavi. The resulting fracas drew players and coaches from both squads onto the field.
The parties involved were formally notified of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decisions. Under the provisions of the FDC, all parties retain a ten-day window to request a motivated decision, which will subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com. All determinations remain subject to appeal based on article 61 of the FDC.