Three Argentina players banned over World Cup final brawl

Three Argentina players have been banned for their part in a brawl at the end of last month's World Cup final against Spain, while the South American nation have been fined for displaying a Falkland Islands banner after the semi-final win over England.

Midfielder Leandro Paredes has been hit hardest and given a 10-match ban and a 90,000 US Dollars (€77,000) fine by FIFA’s disciplinary committee, while defender Nahuel Molina was given a seven-match suspension and fined the same amount.

Thiago Almada was given a one-match ban and a 30,000 USD (€26,000) fine, while Argentina coach Roberto Ayala was banned for three matches and fined the same amount.

Spain’s Gavi has also been given a one-match ban and a 30,000 USD fine.

Argentina’s football association (the AFA) has also been fined 321,000 US dollars (€275,000) in relation to the displaying of a banner at the end of the World Cup semi-final which read 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ which translates as ‘The Falkland Islands are Argentinian’.

The fine also covered breaches by Argentina supporters of FIFA’s anti-discrimination regulations at other World Cup matches. For the discrimination offences, the AFA has been ordered to play the country’s next home match at 50% capacity, with a 50% capacity restriction at a further match suspended. FIFA said 100,000 US dollars of the fine was also suspended.

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