FIFA have issued Leandro Paredes a 10-game ban for fighting after the World Cup final and handed Argentina an £235,647 fine for displaying a Falklands banner after beating England in the semi-finals.
Paredes was involved in ugly scenes after Argentina’s extra-time loss to Spain in New York/New Jersey, grabbing opponent Eric Garcia by the throat and then pushing Spain’s unused sub Gavi to the ground. Paredes was shown a red card for violent conduct at the time.
Paredes’ team-mate Nahuel Molina was also involved in the scuffles and tried to knock over Rodri as the Spain captain ran past him. Molina has been handed a seven-game ban.
Argentina’s Thiago Almada has got a one-game ban for his actions, while Argentina coach Roberto Ayala has a one-game suspension after he tried to punch Spain player Dani Olmo in the face.
Gavi has been given a one-match ban, too.
The bad tempered reaction to defeat from the Argentina players followed a match featuring heavy challenges and a red card for Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez.
Argentina have also been punished for their actions after the semi-final victory over England, when their players held up a banner reading ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ – ‘The Falklands are Argentine’ – in reference to the self-governing British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Argentina players hold up a banner with the words ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ which translates to ‘The Falklands are Argentine’
The banner was held up and put on the pitch in front of the Argentina end of the Atlanta Stadium as their players celebrated winning 2-1. It was left on the pitch for several minutes before it was folded by one of the players and handed to a member of their backroom staff.
FIFA rules ban all political messaging at games and the $321,000 fine for that political statement was also connected to discrimination and racist abuse by their fans.
Argentina’s prize money from the World Cup was $34m.
Their punishment states, $100,000 has to be spent on anti-discrimination campaigns and another $100k of their fine is suspended.
Argentina have also been ordered to play its next two home matches with a limited number of spectators, reduced to 50 per cent.
The ugly World Cup final scenes in pictures
Argentina’s Leandro Paredes (5) knocks down Spain’s Gavi (9) during scuffle after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Argentina’s Leandro Paredes (5) kicks at Spain’s Eric Garcia (4) as assistant referee Tomaz Klancnik, of Slovenia, tries to break up a scuffle after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York,
Argentina’s Leandro Paredes (5) grabs Spain’s Eric Garcia (4) by the neck as assistant referee Tomaz Klancnik, of Slovenia, tries to break up a scuffle after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near
Soccer: FIFA World Cup: Spain Nico Williams (17) exchanges words with Argentina Leandro Paredes (5) during the FIFA World Cup Final match at New York New Jersey Stadium. .East Rutherford, NJ 7/19/2026.CREDIT: Simon Bruty (Photo by Simon Bruty/Sports
Leandro Paredes of Argentina and Gavi of Spain are involved in an altercation after the FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Pat Isaacs/MI News/NurPhoto)
Leandro Paredes of Argentina and Gavi of Spain are involved in an altercation after the FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Pat Isaacs/MI News/NurPhoto)
Argentina’s Leandro Parades clashes with Spain sub Gavi after the World Cup final
