FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee announced sanctions on August 21, 2026, that included a 10-match suspension and $90,000 fine for Leandro Paredes over his actions in the 2026 World Cup final. Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-match suspension and a matching $90,000 fine while Thiago Almada received a one-match ban along with a $30,000 penalty. Roberto Ayala, an Argentina team official, was suspended for three matches and fined $30,000. Spain’s Gavi was given a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine for his part in the same incident.
The measures stemmed from a report submitted by the Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor concerning events at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19 when Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time. According to a statement from FIFA, the committee reviewed violations tied to the post-whistle scuffle that erupted as Spanish substitutes celebrated. Reuters reported that Paredes shoved Gavi to the ground and that both he and Molina faced assault counts while Almada and Gavi were cited for unsporting behaviour. FIFA stated that the suspensions will apply to the next international matches of the respective national teams under its disciplinary code.
The Argentine Football Association received a $321,000 fine from FIFA for breaches that occurred across the tournament. One violation involved players displaying a banner declaring “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” after the semifinal against England, which FIFA determined constituted use of a sports event for a non-sporting demonstration. The association was also held responsible for team misconduct, discriminatory supporter chants and gestures, and shortcomings in match order and security. FIFA ordered Argentina to play its next two home matches at 50 percent stadium capacity due to the discrimination breach.
FIFA further determined that $100,000 of the fine must be invested in a plan to combat discrimination. Another $100,000 of the fine and one of the two partial-closure matches were suspended subject to a probationary period. The FIFA announcement specified these conditions after a thorough assessment of the cases and confirmed that all parties received notification of the decisions on August 21.
Reuters reported that Ayala had apologised for his involvement in the final altercation prior to the ruling. The committee cited three assault counts against Paredes and two against Molina in reaching its findings on the brawl. Suspensions handed down under the relevant articles of the FIFA Disciplinary Code affect only representative-team fixtures and do not extend to club competitions.
FIFA noted that the sanctions remain subject to appeal where applicable. The rulings followed disciplinary proceedings that examined incidents from throughout the 2026 tournament hosted in the United States. The decisions enforce provisions covering player conduct, discrimination and the prevention of non-sporting demonstrations at matches.
