Leandro Paredes Suspended for 10 Matches After World Cup Brawl

Leandro Paredes has been hit with a 10‑match suspension for his role in the ugly post‑match brawl that marred Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, Fifa confirmed on Friday, with teammate Nahuel Molina banned for seven games.

The chaos erupted at the final whistle. As Spain’s substitutes poured onto the pitch to celebrate their title, Paredes shoved Gavi to the ground, sparking a brief but heated confrontation between players and staff from both sides.

Fifa charged Paredes with three counts of assault and Molina with two. Both Argentina defenders were fined US$90,000 each.

Wider Disciplinary Actions

The disciplinary net spread wider. Argentina’s Thiago Almada and Spain midfielder Gavi were each cited for unsporting behaviour and handed one‑match bans, while Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala was found guilty of one assault count. Ayala, who had apologised for his role in the incident, received a three‑match suspension and a US$30,000 fine, the same financial penalty imposed on Almada and Gavi.

Argentina’s governing body did not escape either. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was fined a total of US$321,000 for a series of disciplinary breaches during the tournament, including players displaying a banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”) after the semi‑final win over England.

For Argentina, the fallout from that final whistle will now stretch well beyond the night they lost the World Cup.