ZURICH (AP) – Global soccer governing body FIFA has handed down severe, multi-game suspensions and substantial fines to three Argentine national team players, one senior Argentina coach, and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) following aggressive post-match incidents after last month’s under-20 World Cup final against Spain, the organization announced Friday.
The harshest penalty went to Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, who received a 10-match international suspension for his role in the post-final brawl: Paredes grabbed Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat and shoved Spain star Gavi to the ground moments after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain. Football analysts note this 10-game ban ranks among the most severe World Cup-related sanctions in FIFA history, placing it on par with the 2014 penalties imposed on Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez after his infamous biting incident during that year’s senior World Cup in Brazil. For context, Suarez received a four-month ban from all competitive soccer worldwide and an eight-match international suspension after biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini in a group-stage match.
Given FIFA’s current international match calendar through June 2027, Paredes’ 10-game suspension effectively amounts to a one-year removal from the Argentine national squad, as all 10 scheduled matches during that period would be impacted by the ban. Most of these upcoming fixtures are expected to be exhibition matches, as no major competitive tournaments have been scheduled in that window yet.
Two other Argentine players also received bans: starting defender Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-match international suspension, while young winger Thiago Almada received a one-game suspension. Financial penalties accompany the bans: Paredes and Molina were fined $90,000 each, and Almada was fined $30,000.
Spain’s Gavi, who was involved in the post-match scuffle, was not spared: he received a one-match suspension that will force him to miss Spain’s upcoming UEFA Nations League clash against England at Wembley Stadium on September 26. Longtime Argentine assistant coach Roberto Ayala also received disciplinary action, with a three-match international ban and a $30,000 fine.
Beyond individual penalties, FIFA also sanctioned the Argentine Football Association with a $110,000 fine for multiple separate incidents that occurred during the team’s run in the World Cup. These additional violations included players displaying a politically charged banner referencing the Falkland Islands (which is the subject of a long-running sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom) following Argentina’s semifinal victory over England, as well as verified reports of discriminatory chants by Argentine supporters during the tournament. The AFA was also ordered to allocate $100,000 to fund anti-racism education and outreach projects in Argentine soccer. Notably, Argentina received $34 million in prize money from FIFA for winning the senior men’s World Cup in Qatar 2022.
The on-field confrontations that led to these sanctions stemmed from a highly contentious final match that saw Spain dominate possession and scoring chances, holding Argentina to almost no attacking opportunities for most of the game. Spain forward Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the match in the second half of extra time, shortly after Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off with a red card. That tense, physical build-up spilled over into the post-final handshake line, where the violent clashes that prompted FIFA’s investigation occurred.
The AFA has the option to appeal the lengthiest suspensions and largest fines first through FIFA’s internal appellate body, with a further possible appeal to the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport after that process concludes.