Argentina’s staff and players have been given bans totalling a combined 21 games following the mass altercation that unfolded after their World Cup final defeat to Spain.
FIFA, football’s global governing body, has now confirmed the sanctions after announcing in July that it would be investigating the unsavoury full-time scenes that took place as Spain celebrated their 1-0 extra-time win.
Many will feel this is belated justice, and that FIFA have finally shown their teeth a month after the tournament ended. And it also may mean that football’s governing body, given the scrutiny they now find themselves under, felt that they had to finally set an example.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has been given a 10-match ban after appearing to grab Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat and then throw midfielder Gavi to the ground.
Argentina defender Nahuel Molina has been suspended for seven games after he appeared to strike Spain midfielder Rodri in the stomach as he ran on to the pitch to celebrate his side’s success. Both Paredes and Molina have also been fined $90,000.
Argentina attacking midfielder Thiago Almada has been given a one-match ban for unsporting behaviour, while team official Roberto Ayala has been suspended for three matches for one count of assault. The pair have also been fined $30,000 each.
Gavi is the only member of the Spain squad to be sanctioned, receiving a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine for unsporting behaviour.
The respective suspensions will be in place for international matches only and will not carry over to club level.
FIFA also confirmed that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) had been fined a total of $310,000 and ordered to play its next home match with a 50% stadium closure, with a second one-game partial stadium closure suspended for an unspecified probationary period, in relation to fan behaviour. These sanctions were imposed in relation to “using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature”, “discrimination and racist abuse”, and “order and security at matches”.
Argentina’s players celebrated with a Falkland Islands banner following their semi-final win over England. A banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates to “The Malvinas are Argentine”, was initially displayed in the crowd before it appeared on the pitch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after Argentina’s 2-1 win.
The AFA has already confirmed that it is ready to take the matter to sport’s highest court of appeal, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, “as a last resort”.
