Following the violent post-match confrontation between Argentina and Spain players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final and additional tournament infractions, FIFA handed down strict disciplinary penalties against the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and multiple key individuals.
Argentina & Spain Players and Staff Suspensions
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee levied suspensions that apply strictly to international fixtures, allowing all involved individuals to remain eligible for their respective domestic clubs:
- Leandro Paredes (Argentina): Incurred a 10-game international ban alongside a $90,000 fine after being convicted of assault during the post-game brawl.
- Nahuel Molina (Argentina): Suspended for seven international matches and fined $90,000.
- Roberto Ayala (Assistant Coach): Handed a three-game international ban and a $30,000 fine.
- Thiago Almada (Argentina): Issued a one-match international suspension and fined $30,000.
- Gavi (Spain): Received a one-match international ban and a $30,000 fine for unsporting behavior.
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AFA Institutional Sanctions
Beyond the physical altercation following the final, FIFA found the AFA responsible for multiple regulations violations throughout the tournament:
- Financial Penalty: The AFA was fined $321,000. FIFA mandated that $100,000 of this amount must directly fund anti-discrimination initiatives, while another $100,000 remains suspended under a probationary period.
- Stadium Restrictions: Argentina must restrict venue capacity to 50 percent for its next two home international fixtures, though one match of this restriction is currently suspended pending good behavior during probation.
- Cited Infractions: Penalties were imposed due to discriminatory chanting by fans, general team misconduct, security failures, and the post-semifinal display of a non-sporting political banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”.
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