World Cup 2026: Argentina's Paredes banned for 10 games over World Cup final clashes

Leandro Paredes plays his club football for Argentinian side Boca Juniors

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has been given a 10-match ban for the role he played in on-field clashes after his side were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

Fifa's disciplinary committee has also handed his team-mate Nahuel Molina a seven-match suspension.

Argentina have also been ordered to play their next two home matches with 50% capacity, though one match of that sanction is suspended.

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has been fined $321,000 (£235,000) for breaches of the Fifa disciplinary code relating to using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by its supporters.

Fifa have ordered that $100,000 (£73,000) of the fine must be invested in a plan to combat discrimination - and $100,000 (£73,000) of the fine is suspended, with a probationary period to apply.

After defeating England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final, several Argentina players held up a banner claiming Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory.

Last month, Fifa appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess what happened after the final whistle at the New York New Jersey Stadium, when multiple Argentina players and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spain players.

As well as their suspensions, Paredes and Molina will both pay fines of $90,000 (£66,000).

Paredes grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestled Spain's Gavi to the ground, before appearing to strike the latter in the face.

Gavi - who said he did not think Paredes should be punished - will serve a one-match suspension and pay a fine of $30,000 (£22,000) for his part in the post-match confrontations, as will Argentina's Thiago Almada.

Roberto Ayala, a member of Argentina's coaching staff, has been given a three-match suspension and a fine of $30,000 for striking Spain's Dani Olmo in the face.

The match suspensions will only be enforced in international fixtures.

The AFA said it will appeal the sanctions, and if unsuccessful will take its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Paredes gets 10-game ban for World Cup antics

Analysis: Fifa come down hard on Argentina

There were many elements of Argentina's behaviour around the World Cup final that left a sour taste – now world governing body Fifa has come down hard on those it feels were responsible.

A 10-match ban for experienced central midfielder Paredes and seven matches for Molina, who seemed to punch man of the match Rodri as he ran to celebrate Spain's success.

In addition, the fine of $321,000 includes a punishment for the Argentina team unveiling a "Las Malvinas son ­Argentinas" – the ­Malvinas are Argentinian – banner following their semi-final triumph against England.

It is a significant punishment, underlining how annoyed Fifa are at having their showpiece occasion, broadcast to an estimated 1.5bn people globally, tarnished by such awful scenes.

Argentina have been one of the world's best teams for some time. Today shows them to be one of the worst behaved.

When the World Cup finishes, the football continues on BBC Sport