FIFA has imposed lengthy suspensions on three Argentina players and issued substantial fines to four members of the country’s delegation following the confrontation that broke out after the World Cup final against Spain.
Leandro Paredes has received the heaviest punishment, with FIFA’s disciplinary committee banning him for 10 matches. The midfielder was judged to have been the most violent participant during the closing stages of the match.
Nahuel Molina has been suspended for seven games after attacking Rodri without justification. Almada, meanwhile, has been banned for one match for holding Gavi while the Spain player was being struck by Paredes.
Ayala has been given a three-match suspension after punching Dani Olmo. Gavi also received a one-match ban, making him the only Spain player punished in connection with the incident. His offence was pushing Eric Garcia, who was also attacked by Paredes.
The sanctions were announced one month after the disorder at the end of the final. FIFA’s disciplinary committee ruled against four members of the Argentina delegation and also imposed significant financial penalties.
Paredes and Molina were each fined 77,000 euros. Almada and Ayala were each ordered to pay 25,000 euros. Ayala was identified as a member of the coaching staff and a former footballer, while Gavi was referred to as a Barcelona player.
The suspension means Gavi will miss Spain’s Nations League match against England at Wembley on 26 September.
Under Article 69, paragraphs 2a and 3, of FIFA’s disciplinary code, international match bans are carried forward to the next fixtures involving the national teams concerned. As a result, the three Argentina players will be unavailable for the national-team matches covered by their respective suspensions.
The disciplinary action covers all of those identified as being involved in the altercation, with the length of each ban reflecting the offence attributed to the individual. Paredes’ 10-game suspension is the longest, followed by Molina’s seven-match punishment, while Ayala was suspended for three games and Almada for one.
On the Spanish side, Gavi’s one-match ban means he is the only player from Spain to receive a sporting sanction over the events. His absence will be felt in the meeting with England at Wembley, which is scheduled for 26 September as part of the Nations League.
For Argentina, the ruling affects the availability of Paredes, Molina and Almada in upcoming fixtures for the national team. FIFA’s decision also places financial penalties on the four members of the delegation who were sanctioned by the disciplinary committee.
