FIFA, global football's governing body, has issued suspensions and fines to players and staff members from Argentina after a brawl unfolded at the World Cup Final.
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According to The Athletic, these penalties follow an investigation into the fracas that occurred when Spain celebrated its 1-0 extra time win. The suspensions are in place for international matches only; they will not affect the club level.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes received the harshest penalties after he grabbed Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat and then threw Spain midfielder Gavi (Pablo Martin Paez Gavira) to the ground. Paredes has been suspended 10 matches and fined $90,000.
🔥 A mass brawl erupted after the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina
Argentina’s Leandro Paredes grabbed Spain’s Eric GarcĂa by the neck and swung at other players.
Gavi stepped in as well, only to end up on the ground and take several hits. https://t.co/4EW0xFazy8 pic.twitter.com/R0v5fOxJpN
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) July 20, 2026
Argentina defender Nahuel Molina received a seven-match suspension and a $90,000 fine for appearing to strike Spain midfielder Rodri (Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante) in the stomach.
Thiago Almada also received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine for unsporting behavior. Argentina official Roberto Ayala received a three-match suspension and a $30,000 fine for one count of assault.
Gavi is the only player from Spain to receive penalties after the World Cup brawl. He received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine for unsporting behavior.
The suspensions are not the only penalties issued after the World Cup. Others stem from the behavior of the fans.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) received $310,000 in total fines. The AFA will also have to play its next home match with a 50% stadium closure. Another game will have to be played with partial stadium closure.
The Athletic notes that these sanctions were related to "using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature," "discrimination and racist abuse," and "order and security at matches."
One particular instance occurred during Argentina's 2-1 win over England. The fans in the stands had a banner reading, "Las Malvinas son Argentinas." This translates to "The Malvinas are Argentine." This banner then ended up on the pitch after the match.
This banner references the ongoing dispute between the two countries over the Falkland Islands. Both countries have claimed sovereignty over the islands, which ultimately led to the Falklands War in the early 1980s.
