FIFA has handed Argentina’s players and staff a combined 21 matches in bans after the mass altercation that broke out following their World Cup final defeat to Spain.
The global football governing body confirmed the sanctions on Friday, weeks after announcing in July that it would investigate the ugly full-time scenes that unfolded as Spain celebrated their 1-0 extra-time win.
Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes received the harshest punishment, a 10-match ban and a $90,000 fine, for grabbing Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat and then throwing midfielder Gavi to the ground.
Defender Nahuel Molina picked up a seven-game suspension and a $90,000 fine for striking Spain midfielder Rodri in the stomach as Rodri ran onto the pitch to celebrate his side’s victory.
Attacking midfielder Thiago Almada received a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine for unsporting behaviour, while Argentina team official Roberto Ayala was suspended for three matches and fined $30,000 over a single count of assault.
Gavi was the only Spain player to face sanctions, and was banned for one match besides being served a fine of $30,000 for unsporting behaviour.
FIFA also fined the Argentine Football Association (AFA) a total of $310,000 and ordered the team to play its next home match with the stadium at 50 percent capacity. A second partial stadium closure, also covering one match, was suspended for an unspecified probationary period.
These penalties relate to “using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature”, “discrimination and racist abuse” and “order and security at matches”, FIFA said.
It added that it will direct $100,000 of the federation’s fine toward “a plan to combat discrimination”.
The disciplinary case also touched on an earlier incident from the tournament. After beating England 2-1 in the semi-final, Argentina’s players celebrated with a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas [The Malvinas are Argentine”]. The banner first appeared in the crowd before making its way onto the pitch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
In its statement, FIFA said. “The parties were notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decisions today. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have ten days to request a motivated decision… the decisions remain subject to appeal.”
The AFA responded by saying it could take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, football’s highest appeals body, “as a last resort”.
