Leandro Paredes Faces 10-Match Ban After World Cup Final Brawl

Leandro Paredes has been hit with a 10‑match ban for his role in the ugly brawl that erupted at the end of Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, Fifa confirmed on Friday, with Nahuel Molina also sidelined for seven games.

The flashpoint came at the final whistle. As Spain’s substitutes sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate their title, Paredes lost his composure and shoved Gavi to the ground, sparking a brief but chaotic scuffle between players and staff from both sides.

Fifa’s disciplinary committee came down hard. Paredes was found guilty on three counts of assault, Molina on two. Both Argentina players were fined US$90,000.

They were not the only ones sanctioned. Thiago Almada of Argentina and Spain midfielder Gavi were each charged with one count of unsporting behaviour and received one‑match suspensions. Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala, who had apologised for his part in the confrontation, was handed a three‑game ban after being found guilty of one assault count. Almada, Gavi and Ayala were each fined US$30,000.

The punishments did not stop at individuals. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was ordered to pay a total of US$321,000 for multiple disciplinary breaches during the tournament. Among those cited was the post‑semi-final scene after Argentina’s win over England, when some players displayed a banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”).

Heavy bans, heavy fines, and a clear message from Fifa: the fallout from that final will linger long after the trophy lift.