Leandro Paredes handed 10-match ban as Argentina fined over World Cup final brawl

Leandro Paredes has been given a 10-match ban and a $90,000 (£66,000) fine by Fifa’s disciplinary committee for his role in a brawl at the end of last month’s World Cup final against Spain, the committee announced on 21 August 2026. Fifa also imposed suspensions on other participants and fined the Argentinian football association $321,000 over a banner displayed after the semi-final win over England.

Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-match suspension and a $90,000 fine, while Thiago Almada received a one-match ban and a $30,000 (£22,000) fine. From the coaching staff, Roberto Ayala was banned for three matches and fined $30,000, and Spain’s Gavi was given a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine.

The Argentinian football association (AFA) was fined $321,000 in connection with a banner displayed at the end of the England game. The banner read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” which translates as “the Falkland Islands are Argentinian”.

Fifa said the fine also covered breaches by Argentina supporters of Fifa’s anti-discrimination regulations at other World Cup matches, and that $100,000 of the total penalty was suspended.

The banner drew condemnation from UK politicians when it was displayed, with Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey calling for the players who held it up to be suspended. Uefa had previously banned two Spain players – Rodri and Álvaro Morata – after they sang about Spain’s claims to Gibraltar following their Euro 2024 triumph.

On 6 August, the AFA announced that the date of the semi-final win over England — 15 July — would be commemorated as National Football Teams Day in the future.

For the discrimination offences, Fifa has ordered the AFA to play the country’s next home match at 50% capacity, with a 50% capacity restriction at a further match suspended.