Three Argentina players have been suspended by FIFA for their involvement in a brawl following last month’s World Cup final against Spain.
Axar.az reports, citing The Guardian, that Leandro Paredes received a 10-match ban and a $90,000 fine, while Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven matches and fined the same amount. Thiago Almada was handed a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine.
Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala was also banned for three matches and fined $30,000. Spain midfielder Gavi received a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine for his involvement in the incident.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was separately fined $321,000 over a banner displayed after Argentina’s semi-final victory over England. The banner read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Falkland Islands are Argentinian”).
The fine also covers breaches of FIFA’s anti-discrimination regulations by Argentina supporters during other World Cup matches.
As part of the disciplinary measures, Argentina will be required to play its next home match at 50% stadium capacity, while a similar restriction for a second match has been suspended. FIFA also suspended $100,000 of the fine.
Spain won the decisive match 1–0 to become world champions.