FIFA Drops Massive Suspensions on Argentina Squad Following the Violent World Cup Final Brawl in New Jersey
Time for consequences.
FIFA just dropped the hammer on Argentina’s World Cup squad, and it’s not pretty. After the chaotic, ugly scenes that marred the final against Spain in New Jersey, the governing body has handed out suspensions, fines, and stadium restrictions that’ll leave the team scrambling to regroup. According to LADBible, Leandro Paredes, the midfielder at the center of the post-match brawl, is facing the harshest penalty – a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine.
But he’s not alone. The entire squad is paying the price for their actions, with FIFA making it clear that this kind of behavior won’t fly, especially not on the world’s biggest stage. The fallout from the July 19 final has been messy, to say the least. After Ferran Torres scored the extra-time winner to secure Spain’s 1-0 victory, Paredes lost his cool, grabbing Spanish defender Eric Garcia by the throat before shoving midfielder Gavi to the ground.
The incident didn’t just stop there. BBC Sport reports that Nahuel Molina, another Argentina player, was caught on camera throwing a punch at Spain’s Rodri as he celebrated the win. Thiago Almada and even Spain’s Gavi also found themselves in FIFA’s crosshairs, each receiving one-match suspensions and $30,000 fines for their roles in the chaos. Roberto Ayala, a team official copped a three-match ban and a $30,000 fine for striking Spain’s Dani Olmo.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee didn’t hold back
The suspensions will carry over to the next international break in September, meaning Argentina will be missing key players when they’re needed most. For a team that just won $34 million in prize money, these fines might feel like a drop in the bucket, but the reputational damage is another story. This isn’t the kind of legacy any squad wants after a World Cup run.
FIFA also hit Argentina with a $321,000 fine and a stadium capacity restriction for a completely separate incident – the Falklands banner. After their semi-final win over England, several Argentina players unfurled a banner that read, “The Falklands are Ours” in Spanish. The move sparked outrage, especially in England, where the Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory.
Some even called for the players involved to be banned from the final, but FIFA let them play. Now, though, the governing body is making them pay. The fine covers breaches of FIFA’s rules against using sports events for non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, and discriminatory behavior.
The punishment doesn’t stop at the fine
Argentina has been ordered to play their next two home fixtures with a 50% reduced capacity, though one of those matches is suspended. They’ll also have to implement anti-discrimination measures in the seating plan for those games. On top of that, $100,000 of the fine is suspended, but another $100,000 must be spent on a FIFA-approved plan to combat discrimination within six months.
It’s a lot to digest, and the Argentina Football Association (AFA) isn’t taking it lying down. They’ve already signaled their intention to appeal, writing in a statement that they’ll “request from FIFA the grounds for the rulings that are reviewable in order to file appeals before the Appeals Committee.” If that fails, they’ll take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The AFA’s statement also revealed that the racism and discrimination charges stem from chants and insults made by Argentinian fans during matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, England, and Spain. It’s a stark reminder that these issues aren’t just about the players on the field but the fans in the stands, too. FIFA’s decision to crack down on both the team and its supporters shows just how seriously they’re taking these violations.
For Paredes, the fallout from the final is just the latest in a string of on-field incidents
Back in August, he was involved in another altercation while playing for his club, kicking the ball at a downed opponent. After the World Cup final, he took to Instagram to express his disappointment, writing, “THANK YOU ARGENTINA !!! I LOVE YOU TODAY AND ALWAYS. Today it’s time to write with a lot of pain in the soul for not having been able to give them that joy that our country so deserves, but with the chest full of pride for giving everything we had and leaving our flag again on the highest!”
It was a heartfelt message. However, it did little to address the chaos he helped unleash after the final whistle.
The World Cup final is supposed to be a celebration of football, not a showcase for brawls and political statements. With an estimated 1.5 billion people watching globally, the stakes are high, and FIFA isn’t about to let a few bad actors ruin the show. The suspensions and fines send a clear message: if you want to represent your country on the world stage, you’d better play by the rules.
The next international break in September is going to be a tough one for Argentina. With Paredes and Molina sidelined for 10 and seven matches respectively, the team will have to find a way to fill the void. It’s a steep price to pay for a moment of lost control, but it’s one they’ll have to live with. For now, the AFA is focused on appealing the sanctions, but if they fail, the team will have to move forward without some of its key players.
(Featured image: Bryan Berlin)
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