FIFA hits Argentina with stiff sanctions, bans after World Cup brawl, misconduct

Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald on Aug 21, 2026

Published in Soccer

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FIFA came down hard on the Argentine soccer federation and its national team following the postgame brawl that broke out after its 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final.

Three Argentine players were suspended and fined by the FIFA disciplinary committee, including a 10-match ban and $90,000 fine for Leandro Paredes for grabbing Spanish defender Eric Garcia by the throat and knocking midfielder Gavi to the ground.

Argentine defender Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven games and fined $90,000 for hitting midfielder Rodri in the midsection as the Spaniard ran on to the field to celebrate with his teammates.

Midfielder Thiago Almada was banned one game for unsporting conduct and fined $30,000. Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala was suspended three matches and fined $30,000 for his involvement in the melee.

Pablo Martin Paez Gavira (Gavi) is the only member of Spain’s team that was punished. He received a one-game ban and $30,000 fine for unsporting conduct.

The sanctions rank among the most severe in World Cup history, up there with the nine-match, four-month ban handed to Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, now with Inter Miami, after he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during a group-stage match at the 2014 World Cup

In addition to the suspensions, the Argentine soccer federation (AFA) was fined $310,000 and ordered to play its next home match at 50% capacity as punishment for discriminatory racist and homophobic chants from its fans, for supporters throwing objects from the stands and for the team celebrating its semifinal win over England with a political banner about the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands.

FIFA ruled that a second match with limited attendance and $100,000 of the fine is suspended during a probationary period. FIFA also demanded that $100,000 of AFA’s fines be “invested in a plan to combat discrimination”.

The fines break down as follows:

For the display of the Falkland Islands flag (use of a sporting event to carry out non-sporting demonstrations) $10,000 and inappropriate conduct of spectators $20,000.

For racist, homophobic, and discriminatory chants and insults made by Argentine spectators during matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, England, and Spain, a fine of $100,000 and a similar amount suspended for a period of 6 months.

The partial closure of 50% of the stands in the next official home match played by the senior men’s national team.

For the throwing of objects onto the field by Argentine fans during matches against Switzerland and England, the delay in the start of the match, and breaches of FIFA’s security protocol, a fine of $91,000.

AFA may appeal the sanctions and announced: “In light of the notifications received, and in defense of the rights of the Association and its footballers, the AFA Legal Department will, in due course, request from FIFA the grounds for the rulings that are subject to review in order to file appeals before the Appeals Committee of the governing body of world football, leaving in the future the possibility of appealing to the CAS as a last resort”