Argentina appeal Paredes ban in bid to make November internationals

The Argentine Football Association has appealed to FIFA against the suspension handed to Leandro Paredes, hoping to reduce his ban from 10 matches to three and make him available for the November international window.

Paredes, who plays for Boca Juniors, was among those sanctioned by FIFA following the World Cup final. The Argentine federation has also challenged the punishments imposed on Nahuel Molina and assistant coach Roberto Ayala.

The appeal was reported by Julio Pavoni, a journalist with Argentine radio station Continental. Argentina are awaiting a decision from FIFA’s Appeal Committee before finalising their plans for November.

If the request is accepted, Paredes will be eligible for selection after serving a three-match suspension during the October international window. The proposed reduction would allow him to return for Argentina’s matches in November.

The original sanctions included a 10-match ban for Paredes and a seven-match suspension for Argentina full-back Nahuel Molina. Ayala was banned for three matches, while Thiago Almada received a one-match suspension.

FIFA also fined the Argentine Football Association $321,000 for various offences committed during several matches in the tournament.

In addition, Argentina were ordered to play their next two home matches with restrictions on attendance. The first game must be held with the stadium operating at 50% capacity, while the second sanction was suspended.

That suspended punishment will be activated if FIFA receives another complaint concerning the behaviour of Argentina supporters.

The disciplinary measures followed a World Cup final in which Spain secured a 2-1 victory after extra time. Spain’s winning goal was scored by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute.

The result gave Spain their second World Cup title, following their first success in 2010 when they defeated the Netherlands.

Argentina were unable to retain the trophy they had won in 2022 and finished the tournament with the silver medal.