FIFA hands Paredes 10-match ban, $90,000 fine over World Cup final clash with Spain players

Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes is among three Argentina players banned and fined by FIFA for their roles in a scuffle during their 2026 FIFA World Cup final match in July against eventual winners Spain.

Paredes was handed a 10-match ban and a $90,000 fine for grabbing Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat and pushing another opponent, Gavi, to the ground after the final whistle.

His ban from the Argentine team may last for one year, as, according to the FIFA calendar, the national team schedule includes 10 games through June 2027, while Argentina has yet to schedule any friendly or competitive games during the period.

Teammate Nahuel Molina was also fined the same amount and handed a seven-match suspension. Another teammate, Thiago Almada, will serve a one-match ban and pay a $30,000 fine, while one of the coaches, Roberto Ayala, was banned for three matches and fined the same amount.

Furthermore, the Argentine Football Association was fined $321,000 over the display of a banner that read, “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” which translates as “the Falkland Islands are Argentinian”, after their team’s semi-final win over England.

The fine was also for their teams’ fans’ violation of FIFA’s anti-discrimination regulations earlier at the tournament. FIFA has ordered the team to play their next home match at 50 per cent capacity, with a 50 per cent capacity restriction at a further match suspended, adding that $100,000 of the fine was also suspended.

Meanwhile, FIFA also fined Spain’s Gavi $30,000 and handed him a one-match ban, which he will serve during his country’s Nations League match against England on September 26.