The FIFA Disciplinary Commission has sanctioned Leandro Paredes with ten matches and Gavi with one for the incidents that occurred at the end of the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. The punishments must be served with their respective national teams and, therefore, do not affect the matches they play with their clubs.
The resolution also affects other members of the Argentine national team. Nahuel Molina has been suspended for seven matches, Thiago Almada for two, and Roberto Ayala, a member of Lionel Scaloni's coaching staff, for three.
FIFA thus closes the disciplinary procedure opened after the final that Spain won 1-0 against Argentina on July 19 in New York-New Jersey. The organization had commissioned a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to analyze the incidents following the match before deciding on the punishments.
Paredes received three charges for aggression
The highest sanction corresponds to Leandro Paredes, punished with ten matches. The file opened by FIFA included three charges against the midfielder for possible violations of article 14.1.i of its Disciplinary Code, relating to aggression.
Under the same provision, Nahuel Molina was investigated, with two charges—one for a completed action and another for an attempt—and Roberto Ayala, with one charge.
The procedure against Gavi was different. The Spanish international was investigated for a possible violation of article 14.1.b, referring to unsportsmanlike conduct. The same provision was applied in the files against Thiago Almada and, for one of his charges, against Molina.
The result is one match suspension for Gavi and two for Almada, while the accumulation of infractions leaves Molina with seven matches of punishment.
The sanctions do not affect the clubs
The suspension matches will be applied within the scope of the national teams. Paredes, Molina, Almada, and Gavi will be able to continue competing normally with their respective clubs, as the punishments are linked to international matches.
The decision comes almost a month after the World Cup final. After the match, there were clashes and scuffles between members of both teams, events that led FIFA to gather disciplinary reports and formally open the procedures on July 29.
Spain had conquered that day its second World Cup after defeating Argentina 1-0, with a goal from Ferran Torres in extra time.
Fine to the Argentine Federation
The FIFA file was not limited to what happened after the final. The organization also opened a procedure against the Argentine Football Association (AFA) for various incidents that occurred during the tournament.
Among them were discriminatory chants and gestures, delays in the start of matches, breaches of security protocols, throwing objects, and the display of messages considered inappropriate.
The AFA has now received a financial sanction of about 250,000 euros, according to El País. Among the incidents examined was the banner with the message "Malvinas argentinas" that several players displayed after the semifinal against England.
FIFA had initially framed the procedure against the Argentine federation under several articles of its Disciplinary Code, including those related to the use of sporting events for non-sporting manifestations, the inappropriate conduct of teams, discrimination, and the maintenance of order and security in matches.