Key Takeaways
- FIFA suspended four players and Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala for 21 combined international matches over the post-final brawl with Spain.
- Leandro Paredes received the harshest penalty — a 10-match ban and $90,000 fine — for grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat and throwing Gavi to the ground.
- FIFA also fined the Argentine Football Association $321,000, while all sanctioned parties have 10 days to request the ruling’s grounds before appealing.
Argentina have been handed a heavy punishment by FIFA for their involvement in the post-match brawl at the 2026 World Cup final.
On Friday (August 21), FIFA shared a statement announcing four players and one member of staff from the Argentinian national team have received a combined 21-game suspension and individual fines. They are as follows:
Paredes' 10-match penalty, which he was given for grabbing Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat and then throwing midfielder Gavi to the ground, essentially means that he will miss an entire year of international soccer.
In addition to the players and team staff, FIFA fined the Argentine Football Association $321,000.
All parties involved have 10 days to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, will subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com. The decisions remain subject to appeal.
The July 19 World Cup Final chaos at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, started after the final whistle blew on Spain’s 1-0 win over Argentina. Defender Nahuel Molina allegedly punched Rodri on the arm and stomach after the game was over, prompting the Spain midfielder to confront him.
When Eric Garcia rushed over, Paredes jabbed Garcia in the throat in front of assistant referee Tomaz Klancnik. Video then showed Paredes pushing Gavi by placing his hand in the Spaniard's face, while Thiago Almada forced Gavi to the ground.
Assistant coach Roberto Ayala's involvement was also captured on camera, with footage reportedly showing him holding Garcia around the throat before striking Dani Olmo.
Paredes was initially shown a red card on the night, which was subsequently deleted from FIFA's system. FIFA formally opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina on July 29, charging Paredes with three counts of assault, Molina with two assault counts and one unsporting behavior count, and Almada with one unsporting behavior count.
