World football governing body, FIFA, has come down hard on the Argentina national football over the melee that broke out during the final of the world cup in July.
Recall that Argentina was beaten 1-0 by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Parées, who was at the centre of a scuffle, was given a 10-match ban for the role he played in on-field clashes after the final whistle.
Fifa’s disciplinary committee has also handed his team-mate Nahuel Molina a seven-match suspension.
Argentina have also been ordered to play their next two home matches with 50% capacity, though one match of that sanction is suspended.
The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has been fined $321,000 (£235,000) for breaches of the Fifa disciplinary code relating to using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by its supporters.
Fifa have ordered that $100,000 (£73,000) of the fine must be invested in a plan to combat discrimination – and $100,000 (£73,000) of the fine is suspended, with a probationary period to apply.
Last month, Fifa appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess what happened after the final whistle at the New York New Jersey Stadium, when multiple Argentina players and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spain players.
As well as their suspensions, Paredes and Molina will both pay fines of $90,000 (£66,000).
Paredes grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestled Spain’s Gavi to the ground, before appearing to strike the latter in the face.
Spain midfielder Pablo Gavi will serve a one-match suspension and pay a fine of $30,000 (£22,000) for his part in the post-match confrontations, as will Argentina’s Thiago Almada.
Roberto Ayala, a member of Argentina’s coaching staff, has been given a three-match suspension and a fine of $30,000 for striking Spain’s Dani Olmo in the face.
The match suspensions will only be enforced in international fixtures.
The AFA said it will appeal the sanctions, and if unsuccessful will take its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Breakdown of the game ban and fine
🇦🇷 Paredes: 10-game ban + $90,000 fine
🇦🇷 Molina: 7-game ban + $90,000 fine
🇦🇷 Almada: 1-game ban + $30,000 fine
🇦🇷 Ayala: 3-game ban + $30,000 fine
🇪🇸 Gavi: 1-game ban + $30,000 fine
