Leandro Paredes has been suspended for 10 matches by FIFA following the confrontation that broke out after the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.
The disciplinary action, announced one month after the incident, also includes bans for three other Argentina players and one Spain international. FIFA’s disciplinary committee has sanctioned everyone identified as being involved in the post-match altercation.
Paredes was given the longest suspension after being judged to have been the most violent participant during the closing stages of the match. The Argentina midfielder will miss 10 international fixtures as a result.
His Argentina team-mate Nahuel Molina has been banned for seven matches. Molina was punished for what FIFA described as an unjustified assault on Rodri.
Almada has received a one-match suspension after holding Gavi while the Spain midfielder was being struck by Paredes. Ayala, meanwhile, will serve a three-match ban after punching Dani Olmo.
Gavi is the only Spain player to have been sanctioned. He has been suspended for one match for pushing Eric Garcia, who was also assaulted by Paredes during the disturbance.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee has also imposed substantial financial penalties on four members of the Argentina delegation. Paredes and Molina have each been fined €77,000.
The fines for Almada and Ayala are €25,000 each. Ayala is identified as a member of the coaching staff and a former footballer, while Gavi, the Barcelona player, has also been fined €25,000.
As a result of his suspension, Gavi will be unavailable for Spain’s Nations League match against England at Wembley on 26 September.
The bans will take effect in the next matches involving the national teams concerned. FIFA said this follows Article 69, paragraphs 2(a) and 3, of its disciplinary regulations, which provides for international match suspensions to be carried over to subsequent fixtures for the relevant national sides.
That ruling means the three Argentina players affected by the sanctions will be unable to join up with their country for the number of matches covered by their bans. The same provision applies to Gavi, who will miss Spain’s meeting with England in London.
The punishments bring the disciplinary process to a conclusion following the scenes that marred the aftermath of the final. FIFA’s decision covers both the players involved and members of the Argentina delegation, with the length of each suspension reflecting the governing body’s assessment of the actions that took place.
Paredes faces the most significant sporting consequence, with his 10-match ban extending well beyond the next international window. Molina’s seven-game suspension is also set to prevent him from representing Argentina in a substantial run of fixtures, while Ayala’s three-match punishment and Almada’s one-game ban complete the sanctions imposed on the Argentina side.
For Spain, Gavi’s suspension is the only playing ban issued, although the financial penalty means he has also been punished for his involvement in the confrontation.
