FIFA Disciplinary Committee Hands Out 10-Match Ban to Leandro Paredes Following World Cup Final

FIFA has slapped Argentina’s Leandro Paredes with a 10-match suspension and fined the AFA $321,000 following disciplinary breaches and post-match altercations in the 2026 World Cup final.

Photo: AFP

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has delivered one of the most stringent rulings of the football calendar, issuing heavy sporting and financial sanctions following the chaotic post-match altercations of the 2026 World Cup final, where Spain edged Argentina 1-0 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. Following a rigorous review of refereeing reports and security footage initiated on July 29, global football's governing body cracked down on multiple infractions occurring after Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner secured the trophy for "La Roja".

The heaviest individual penalty landed on Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes, who received a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine for multiple counts of aggression. Fellow defender Nahuel Molina was slapped with a 7-match ban and an identical $90,000 fine for attempted and completed acts of aggression and unsportsmanlike conduct. Additional individual sanctions included a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine for Thiago Almada, a 3-match ban and a $30,000 fine for coaching staff member Roberto Ayala, and a one-match ban with a $30,000 fine for Spain’s Gavi over unsportsmanlike behavior. Under Article 69 of the Disciplinary Code, these suspensions will apply strictly to upcoming international matches, sparing their respective clubs.

Beyond individual player punishments, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) was hit with a massive collective fine of $321,000. This financial penalty covers multiple violations of FIFA's Disciplinary Code, including Article 13 (using a sporting event for political demonstrations after displaying a banner reading "Las Malvinas son argentinas"), team misconduct, stadium security failures under Article 17, and discriminatory chants by supporters under Article 15.

As part of the mandatory measures tied to Article 15 breaches, FIFA ordered Argentina to play their next two home matches with a 50% spectator capacity restriction, while mandating that $100,000 of the fine be funneled into an anti-discrimination action plan. Notably, one home match suspension and $100,000 of the fine were suspended under a probationary period. All parties have ten days to request detailed grounds for the decision, which remains subject to appeal.