FIFA World Cup 2026: After losing to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, Argentina Football Team midfielder Leandro Paredes was fined for brawling on the field. He was banned for 10 matches by FIFA. As a result of this punishment, he will not be able to play for the national team for the next year.
Garcia allegedly grabbed her throat
Fifa’s punishment is due to the heated situation after the final. Paredes was accused of grabbing Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat and throwing Gavi to the ground. In that incident, he was banned for 10 matches and fined 90 thousand dollars. This is one of the harshest penalties in the history of the World Cup.
Molina-Almada was also punished
Not only Paredes, but two other Argentine footballers have also been deported by FIFA. Defender Nahuel Molina has been banned for seven matches and midfielder Thiago Almada for one match. Molina was fined $90,000, and Almada was fined $30,000. Spain midfielder Gavi has also been banned for one match.
Paredes out of the national team for a year
According to FIFA’s international calendar, Argentina have 10 matches until June 2027. As a result, Paredes’ 10-match ban effectively amounts to almost a year away from the national team. As Argentina had no competitive matches scheduled at the time, all of the ban matches could be friendlies.
The coach and the federation are also facing punishment
Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala was also banned for three matches and fined $30,000. Besides, FIFA has fined Argentina Football Association a total of 1.1 million dollars. The punishment was imposed for several incidents during the World Cup. These included the display of Falkland Islands-related political banners and discriminatory chanting by supporters after the semi-final against England.
Fifa is also tough on political messages
Argentina’s political message regarding the Falkland Islands during the World Cup also created controversy in Britain. Even a section of British politicians demanded action against the footballers involved. The punishment is significant in the context of FIFA’s tough stance against political innuendo in football. Earlier, UEFA also took disciplinary action against Spain’s Rodri and Alvaro Morata for political slogans about Gibraltar after Euro 2024.
Argentina will appeal
Instead of accepting FIFA’s decision, Argentina’s football association has indicated it will appeal. Their legal department will first ask FIFA for detailed reasons for the punishment. An appeal will then be made to FIFA’s appeals committee. They are also keeping open the way to eventually approach the Court of Arbitration for Sports or CAS if necessary. Paredes’ 10-match ban already ranks as one of the harshest punishments in recent World Cup history.