Argentina players, staff banned for combined 21 games after World Cup final brawl

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, global football’s governing body, confirmed the sanctions on Friday after announcing in July it would be investigating the unsavoury full-time scenes that took place as Spain celebrated their 1-0 extra-time win.

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has been given a 10-match ban after appearing to grab Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat and then throwing 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, and the pair have also been fined $30,000 each.

Gavi is the only member of Luis de la Fuente’s squad to be sanctioned, receiving a one-match ban and $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 the Argentine Football Association (AFA) had been fined a total of $310,000 and ordered to play its next home match with a 50 per cent stadium closure, with a second one-game partial stadium closure suspended for an unspecified probationary period, in relation to fan behaviour. These sanctions were in relation to “using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature”, “discrimination and racist abuse” and “order and security at matches”.

Of the federation fine received, FIFA said $100,000 will be “invested in a plan to combat discrimination”. A further $100,000 is also suspended for a probationary period.

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 parties were notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decisions today,” a FIFA statement read. “In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have ten days to request a motivated decision… The decisions remain subject to appeal.”

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