2026 World Cup: Argentina FA fined, 4 players and 1 team official suspended for scuffle with Spain after final

Things turned ugly following Spain's 1-0 win over Argentina at the 2026 World Cup final. After the final whistle, a massive scuffle broke out , in which Argentina's Leandro Paredes grabbed Spain's Eric García by the throat. The brawl was eventually broken up, but FIFA quickly announced it would investigate the situation a day after the contest. That investigation concluded Friday, as FIFA announced a number of punishments as a result of the brawl. In a statement, FIFA said Argentina and its fans violated the FIFA Disciplinary Code during the match. FIFA cited the following violations from the team and its fans: using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature team misconduct discrimination and racist abuse order and security at matches FIFA said the violation for discrimination and racist abuse was enacted due to "discriminatory chants and gestures by [Argentina's] supporters." Due to those violations, FIFA announced a $321,000 fine for the Argentina FA, which will also play its next two home matches with only 50 percent fans in attendance. Additionally, four players and one team official were issued suspensions for their roles in the fracas. Paredes received the largest suspension, and will miss the next 10 matches after grabbing Garcia by the throat. Paredes also received a fine of $90,000 for his actions. Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and Pablo Martín Páez Gavira were the three other players to be fined and suspended as a result of the brawl. Molina will miss the next seven matches and was also fined $90,000. Almada and Gavira were each suspended one match and fined $30,000. Roberto Ayala, an Argentina team official, was suspended for three matches and fined $30,000 for getting into an altercation with Dani Olmo after the match. FIFA said all parties involved were informed of their punishments Friday and will have 10 days to "request a motivated decision" on the ruling.