Leandro Paredes given 10-game ban after Argentina’s World Cup final clash with Spain

Leandro Paredes has been suspended for 10 matches and fined $90,000 (£67,000) for his role in a confrontation after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat by Spain, FIFA has announced.

Argentina team-mate Nahuel Molina has received a seven-match ban and the same fine after being found responsible for his involvement in the altercation.

The incident took place immediately after the final whistle, when Spain’s substitutes ran on to the pitch to celebrate their victory. Argentina midfielder Paredes shoved Spain’s Gavi to the ground, prompting a brief scuffle involving players and staff.

Paredes was charged with three counts of assault, while Molina faced two such charges.

Argentina forward Thiago Almada and Spain midfielder Gavi were each found guilty of one count of unsporting behaviour. Both players have been suspended for one match and fined $30,000 each.

Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala was charged with one count of assault. Ayala, who apologised for his involvement in the confrontation, has been banned for three matches and fined $30,000.

The disciplinary decisions remain subject to appeal.

Argentina fined and ordered to restrict home crowds

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has also been fined a total of $321,000 for several disciplinary violations during the World Cup.

Those breaches included the display of a banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”) after Argentina’s semi-final victory over England.

FIFA said using a sporting event to stage a demonstration unrelated to sport represented a breach of its disciplinary code. The AFA was also held responsible for team misconduct, as well as discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters.

As part of the punishment, Argentina must play its next two home matches with stadiums restricted to 50% of their capacity.

“The Fifa disciplinary committee further determined that $100,000 of the $321,000 must be invested in a plan to combat discrimination,” FIFA said.

“The implementation of part of the sanction (one of the two matches and $100,000 of the fine) is suspended, with a probationary period to apply.”

The penalties follow the final, in which Spain’s substitutes entered the field to celebrate their success. The ensuing confrontation led to disciplinary proceedings against players from both teams, as well as Ayala.

Paredes’ 10-game suspension is the heaviest individual punishment announced in connection with the incident. Molina’s seven-match ban is the second-longest, while Ayala has received the most severe sanction among the coaching staff.

The AFA’s financial penalty covers multiple incidents at the tournament rather than only the post-match fracas. FIFA’s decision also links part of the fine to efforts to combat discrimination, alongside the restrictions on spectators at Argentina’s next two home fixtures.

All three players who were fined $30,000 Almada, Gavi and Ayala received match bans of one, one and three games respectively. The AFA’s total fine is separate from the $90,000 penalties imposed on Paredes and Molina.

The governing body said the disciplinary measures were imposed under its code and confirmed that the decisions can still be challenged through the appeals process.