The bill for the brawl! FIFA hits Argentina with brutal bans after World Cup final chaos
A month after losing the World Cup final to Spain, Argentina have now lost the disciplinary battle too.
Details: FIFA has handed down major punishments for Argentina's breaches in the World Cup final: Leandro Paredes is suspended for 10 matches, Nahuel Molina for 7, Thiago Almada for 1, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala for 3, while the national team will also play their next two home games with only 50% of spectators allowed. Spain's Gavi, whose full name is Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, received a one-match ban as well.
The sanctions follow the mass brawl that erupted after Spain's 1:0 victory at MetLife Stadium on July 19: Paredes grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat and faced three assault charges, Molina struck Spain captain Rodri, and Ayala punched Dani Olmo in the face. The Argentine FA was also charged over discriminatory chants, a provocative Malvinas banner, late kick-offs and objects thrown by fans throughout the tournament.
The timing is brutal for the world champions: Paredes, now at Boca Juniors, will miss almost the entire next international cycle, while Molina, who joined Roma from Atlético for €13 million this month, loses a third of Argentina's upcoming fixtures. It's worth noting that the 10-match ban is one of the harshest punishments in FIFA history for on-field incidents at a World Cup.
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Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
