The Disciplinary Committee of FIFA has imposed a series of penalties on the Argentine Football Association (AFA), including suspensions for three players and assistant coach Roberto Ayala, along with a hefty fine of $321,000 due to multiple infractions during the 2026 World Cup. Among these violations was the display of a banner regarding the Falkland Islands.
As reported by CNN Español and confirmed by an official statement from AFA, these penalties stem from incidents following the final whistle of the World Cup match held on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. During this game, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute of extra time.
The most severe punishment was handed to midfielder Leandro Paredes, who received a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine after video footage showed him grabbing Eric García by the neck and pushing Gavi during Spain's celebrations.
Defender Nahuel Molina was penalized with a seven-match suspension and a fine of $90,000 for striking and verbally assaulting Rodri. Thiago Almada faced a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine.
Assistant coach Ayala, who works alongside head coach Lionel Scaloni, was suspended for three matches and fined $30,000 after being caught on camera punching Dani Olmo in the face. From the Spanish side, Gavi also received a suspension, but only for one match, which does not impact his commitments with Barcelona.
FIFA also fined AFA for a banner that read "The Malvinas are Argentine," displayed by Argentine players after defeating England in the semifinals. FIFA categorized this as using a sporting event for non-sporting demonstrations, adding a $10,000 fine plus an additional $20,000 for inappropriate spectator conduct. This banner prompted a formal protest from the UK government to FIFA.
Additional fines include $100,000—along with another $100,000 suspended for six months—due to racist, homophobic, and discriminatory chants by fans during matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, England, and Spain. Another $91,000 was imposed for throwing objects onto the field, delays in match starts, and breaches of security protocol.
As an extra penalty, AFA must host its next official home match with only 50% stadium capacity. However, they may fill 25% of the venue with community groups and anti-discrimination organizations, pending FIFA's approval. Furthermore, the fine due to discriminatory actions must be reinvested in a comprehensive anti-discrimination plan within six months.
The Argentine association announced plans to challenge these decisions. "The AFA Legal Management will timely request FIFA's justification for the rulings, intending to file appeals with the world football governing body's Appeals Committee, with the possibility of ultimately resorting to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)," stated the official communication.
Regarding the individual suspensions, AFA clarified they must be served during upcoming official matches of the men's senior national team, including international friendlies.
According to ESPN's analysis, Argentina could play up to 16 international fixtures between September 2026 and November 2027, leading up to the 2028 Copa América. This schedule provides ample opportunity for Paredes to serve a significant portion of his lengthy suspension without waiting for the next major tournament.
FIFA Sanctions on Argentina Explained
Why did FIFA sanction the Argentine Football Association?
FIFA imposed sanctions on the AFA due to multiple infractions during the 2026 World Cup, including the display of a political banner regarding the Falkland Islands and various instances of misconduct by players and fans.
What penalties did Leandro Paredes face?
Leandro Paredes received a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine for his actions during the World Cup final, which included physical altercations with Spanish players.
How will the AFA address the sanctions?
The AFA plans to appeal the sanctions by requesting FIFA's justification and potentially taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if necessary.