The World Cup final was supposed to end with Argentina lifting the trophy again. Instead, it ended with a brawl, a throat grab, and now a stack of suspensions that will follow the squad all the way to 2027.
The Punishment Lands
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee confirmed its verdict on August 21, and it was heavier than anyone in Buenos Aires wanted to hear. Leandro Paredes was hit with a 10-match international ban and a $90,000 fine for grabbing Spain’s Eric GarcÃa by the throat and throwing Gavi to the ground moments after the final whistle in East Rutherford. Because Argentina’s national team schedule runs through 10 fixtures before June 2027, the ban effectively wipes out an entire year of Paredes’ international career. Only Luis Suárez’s infamous 2014 biting ban ranks alongside it in World Cup disciplinary history. 🟥
Nahuel Molina, who appeared to strike Spain captain Rodri and ignite the melee, received a seven-match ban and the same $90,000 fine. Thiago Almada picked up a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine.
While Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala was banned for three matches after appearing to punch Dani Olmo. Even Spain’s Gavi didn’t escape clean, picking up a one-match ban of his own.
Not Just the Players
FIFA didn’t stop at individual punishments. The Argentine Football Association was fined $321,000 and ordered to play its next two home matches with stadium capacity capped at 50 percent, after FIFA cited discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters, late kickoffs, security protocol failures, and the throwing of objects during the tournament. Part of the case also traced back to the “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” banner players unfurled after beating England in the semifinal, a Falklands-referencing display that FIFA ruled breached its ban on political demonstrations at matches.
Paredes Isn’t Going Quietly
If FIFA expected a quiet apology, they didn’t get one. Paredes fired back publicly, accusing the governing body of favoring Spain throughout the tournament and questioning why his reaction drew a harsher penalty than whatever provoked it. The Argentine FA has already confirmed it will appeal the sanctions on behalf of the federation and its players, setting up a drawn-out legal battle that could stretch into the new international calendar.
A Tournament That Never Cooled Off
The fallout didn’t stay confined to dressing rooms and courtrooms either. A petition calling for Argentina to be permanently banned from future World Cups gathered more than 23 million signatures from fans across roughly 170 countries, accusing officials of favoritism toward the reigning champions throughout the competition. A counter-petition from Argentine fans demanding a replay of the final drew over 100,000 signatures of its own. Neither campaign moved FIFA an inch, but both captured just how divided the football world had become by the time the final whistle blew.
What Comes Next
With an appeal now in motion, this saga is far from finished. Paredes faces missing what amounts to a full year of Albiceleste football, Argentina must play in half-empty stadiums, and the argument over whether the punishments fit the chaos will keep raging online long after the trophy has been engraved. One World Cup, one brawl, and consequences that will echo all the way to the next one.
