Leandro Paredes given huge 10-game ban after World Cup final fighting as Argentina punished for Falklands banner
Leandro Paredes scrapped with Spain's Gavi after Argentina lost the World Cup final; Paredes handed 10-game ban and there are also suspensions for his team-mates Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada, and Gavi; Argentina fined after players held up Falklands banner after beating England
Friday 21 August 2026 16:59, UK
FIFA have issued Leandro Paredes a 10-game ban for fighting after the World Cup final and handed Argentina an £235,647 fine for displaying a Falklands banner after beating England in the semi-finals.
Paredes was involved in ugly scenes after Argentina's extra-time loss to Spain in New York/New Jersey, grabbing opponent Eric Garcia by the throat and then pushing Spain's unused sub Gavi to the ground. Paredes was shown a red card for violent conduct at the time.
Paredes' team-mate Nahuel Molina was also involved in the scuffles and tried to knock over Rodri as the Spain captain ran past him. Molina has been handed a seven-game ban.
Argentina's Thiago Almada has got a one-game ban for his actions, while Argentina coach Roberto Ayala has a one-game suspension after he tried to punch Spain player Dani Olmo in the face.
Gavi has been given a one-match ban, too.
The bad tempered reaction to defeat from the Argentina players followed a match featuring heavy challenges and a red card for Argentina's Enzo Fernandez.
Argentina have also been punished for their actions after the semi-final victory over England, when their players held up a banner reading 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' - 'The Falklands are Argentine' - in reference to the self-governing British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.
The banner was held up and put on the pitch in front of the Argentina end of the Atlanta Stadium as their players celebrated winning 2-1. It was left on the pitch for several minutes before it was folded by one of the players and handed to a member of their backroom staff.
FIFA rules ban all political messaging at games and the $321,000 fine for that political statement was also connected to discrimination and racist abuse by their fans.
- World Cup final report: Spain 1-0 Argentina (After Extra Time)
- World Cup final player ratings | As it happened | Teams | Stats
Argentina's prize money from the World Cup was $34m.
Their punishment states, $100,000 has to be spent on anti-discrimination campaigns and another $100k of their fine is suspended.
Argentina have also been ordered to play its next two home matches with a limited number of spectators, reduced to 50 per cent.
The ugly World Cup final scenes in pictures
