FIFA Hands Heavy Bans to Argentina Players After World Cup Final Brawl

FIFA has imposed a series of major disciplinary sanctions on several Argentina players and members of the national team's delegation following the brawl that broke out after the World Cup final against Spain.

The punishments were announced a month after the incident, with the FIFA Disciplinary Committee sanctioning those involved and issuing significant match suspensions and financial penalties.

Leandro Paredes received the heaviest sporting punishment, with a 10-match suspension after being judged the most violent participant during the final minutes of the match.

Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-match ban after an incident involving Rodri, while Almada received a one-match suspension for holding Gavi while the Spanish midfielder was being attacked by Paredes.

More players punished after the incident

Ayala was suspended for three matches after punching Dani Olmo, while Gavi received a one-match ban for pushing Eric Garcia, who had also been involved in the incident with Paredes.

Gavi was the only Spain player named among those sanctioned following the post-match confrontation.

Fines imposed by FIFA

FIFA's Disciplinary Committee also issued significant financial penalties to four members of Argentina's delegation.

Paredes and Molina were each fined €77,000, while Almada and Ayala were each handed fines of €25,000.

The disciplinary sanctions will have consequences beyond the World Cup final, with the suspensions set to carry over to the next matches involving the national teams concerned.

Under Article 69, paragraphs 2(a) and 3 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, match suspensions are transferred to subsequent matches involving the relevant national teams. As a result, the three sanctioned Argentina players will be unavailable for international duty during the matches covered by their respective bans.

Gavi ruled out of England match

Gavi will also miss Spain's Nations League match against England at Wembley on September 26 because of his one-match suspension.

The sanctions bring a significant disciplinary response to the events that followed the World Cup final, with Paredes receiving the longest ban among all those punished.