Following the brawl involving Argentina and Spain players after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, FIFA has imposed severe disciplinary sanctions on several players, an assistant coach and the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
The post-match scuffle erupted at the final whistle after Argentina's Leandro Paredes shoved Spain's Gavi, triggering suspensions and fines for individuals from both teams.
According to Reuters, Paredes received the harshest punishment, a 10-match ban and a Sh 11,668,392 ($90,000) fine.
His Argentina teammate Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-match suspension and a similar monetary fine.
Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala received a three-match ban and a Sh 3,889,464 ($30,000) fine, while Argentina's Thiago Almada and Spain's Gavi were each suspended for one match and fined Sh 3,889,464 ($30,000) for unsporting conduct.
The sanctions also extended to the AFA, which was fined Sh 41,617,264 ($321,000) for multiple violations of FIFA's disciplinary code.
The governing body cited incidents surrounding Argentina's 2-1 semi-final victory over England, during which Argentina players displayed a politically charged banner reading, "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", meaning "The Falkland Islands are Argentinian".
FIFA said the AFA was sanctioned for using a sporting event for non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, discriminatory and racist behaviour by supporters, and failures relating to order and security at matches.
"After a thorough assessment of the relevant cases, the FIFA disciplinary committee has imposed the following sanctions for incidents at different FIFA World Cup 2026 matches," FIFA said in a statement.
In addition to the financial penalty, Argentina will have to play its next two home matches with stadium capacity limited to 50 per cent.
FIFA also ordered Sh 12,964,880 ($100,000) of the Sh 41,617,264 ($321,000) fine to be invested in a programme aimed at combating discrimination. Part of the sanctions, including one of the two matches and Sh 12,964,880 ($100,000) of the fine, was suspended for a probationary period.
The AFA said it intends to request FIFA's formal grounds for the decisions before deciding whether to lodge an official appeal.
The sanctions drew mixed reactions from fans on social media.
Argentina finished runners-up after losing the final to Spain, earning Sh 4,401,300,000 ($34 million) in prize money. Spain received the tournament's top prize of Sh 6,482,440,000 ($50 million) after being crowned world champions.