Leandro Paredes Suspended for 10 Matches After World Cup Chaos

Leandro Paredes has been hit with a 10‑match suspension for his role in the ugly scenes that followed Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, with teammate Nahuel Molina banned for seven games, Fifa confirmed on Friday.

The chaos broke out 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 heated confrontation between players and staff from both sides.

Fifa charged Paredes with three counts of assault and Molina with two. Both Argentina defenders were also fined US$90,000.

The disciplinary net spread wider. Argentina’s Thiago Almada and Spain midfielder Gavi were each cited for unsporting behaviour and handed one‑match bans, while Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala received one assault charge.

Almada, Gavi and Ayala were all fined US$30,000. Ayala, who apologised for his part in the incident, was suspended for three matches.

Sanctions 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, including the display of a banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”) after Argentina’s semi-final win over England.

The punishments leave Argentina facing a long stretch of competitive fixtures without key figures — and with Fifa’s disciplinary line drawn firmly in the sand.