Argentina star Leandro Paredes handed 10-game ban for sparking World Cup final brawl

Leandro Paredes has been handed a 10-game ban after Fifa delivered a series of heavy punishments to Argentina following the disgraceful brawl at the conclusion of the World Cup 2026 final against Spain. The Argentina midfielder was seen throwing his opponent Gavi to the ground in a shocking post-match brawl after Spain emerged victorious in the World Cup final. Paredes’ team-mate Nahuel Molina, has been hit with a seven-game, while Argentina coach Roberto Ayala, who was also involved in the fracas, has been banned for three games. A Fifa disciplinary committee investigated possible breaches of its code during the incident and have now come down hard on the three-time world champions. The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) have been hit with fines amounting to $321,000 for “breaches of articles 13 paragraph 2 c) (Using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature), 14 paragraph 5 (Team misconduct), 15 (Discrimination and racist abuse) in light of discriminatory chants and gestures by its supporters, and 17 (Order and security at matches) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC).” Leandro Paredes (player): a ten-match suspension and a fine of USD 90,000. Nahuel Molina (player): a seven-match suspension and a fine of USD 90,000. Thiago Almada (player): a one-match suspension and a fine of USD 30,000. Roberto Ayala (team official): a three-match suspension and a fine of USD 30,000. Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (player): a one-match suspension and a fine of USD 30,000. More to follow...