Leandro Paredes Receives 10-Match Suspension After World Cup Brawl

Leandro Paredes has been hit with a 10‑match suspension for his role in the post‑match brawl that marred Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, Fifa confirmed on Friday, in one of the heaviest international bans handed out in recent years.

Nahuel Molina was also severely punished, receiving a seven‑game suspension, as world football’s governing body came down hard on Argentina’s conduct at the end of a fractious final.

The flashpoint came at the final whistle. As Spain’s substitutes sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate their title, Paredes shoved Gavi to the ground, sparking a brief but ugly 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.

The disciplinary fallout did not stop there. Thiago Almada and Gavi were each cited for unsporting behaviour and received one‑match bans, while Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala was charged with one count of assault. Ayala, who later apologised for his role in the altercation, was suspended for three matches. Almada, Gavi and Ayala were each fined US$30,000.

Argentina’s problems extended beyond the touchline clashes. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was fined a total of US$321,000 for multiple 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.

The verdict leaves Argentina facing a long stretch without key figures available, and an uncomfortable spotlight on how this generation handles the game’s biggest stage.