Leandro Paredes banned for 10 games after World Cup final fracas, Argentina fined
FIFA has issued significant suspensions and fines to Argentine players Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina following a brawl after the World Cup final against Spain. The Argentine Football Association was also fined for multiple disciplinary breaches, including political gestures.
Why it matters
This disciplinary action underscores FIFA's strict stance on player conduct and the use of sporting events for political demonstrations.
Argentina’s Leandro Paredes received a 10-match suspension for his part in a brawl after his team lost to Spain in the World Cup final while teammate Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven games, Fifa announced on Friday.
A brief scuffle erupted at the final whistle when Argentina midfielder Paredes shoved Spain’s Gavi to the ground as the European champions’ substitutes rushed onto the pitch to celebrate.
Paredes faced three assault counts while Molina faced two. Both players were also fined US$90,000 each.
Argentina’s Thiago Almada and Spain’s Gavi faced one count each of unsporting behaviour, while Argentina’s assistant coach Roberto Ayala faced one assault count.
While Almada and Gavi received one-match suspensions, Ayala, who had apologised for his part in the altercation, was banned for three games, with all three fined US$30,000.
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