Argentina Handed FIFA Sanctions, Leandro Paredes Receives The Heaviest Penalty

FIFA has imposed sanctions consisting of match suspensions and fines against multiple players and officials of the Argentina national football team. These penalties were issued following the unrest that occurred after the 2026 World Cup final match against Spain last July. Meanwhile, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) received financial sanctions as well as spectator capacity restrictions for its home fixtures.

According to FIFA's official announcement, the four sanctioned Argentina players are Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada, and Pablo Martin Paez Gavira.

Paredes received the heaviest punishment: a 10-match playing ban alongside a fine of 90,000 US Dollars.

Molina was handed a severe sanction consisting of a 7-match suspension and a 90,000 US Dollar fine.

Meanwhile, Almada and Gavira were each penalised with a 1-match playing ban and a 30,000 US Dollar fine.

Penalties were not only issued to players: Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala also received sanctions. He is barred from attending the team sideline and has been fined 30,000 US Dollars.

Sanctions Apply To All Upcoming Matches

FIFA confirmed that these suspension orders are not limited to one specific competition. Under Article 69 paragraph 2 point a and paragraph 3 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), the sanctions will take effect for every subsequent match played by the Argentina national team.

This means the players will serve their respective suspension counts across Argentina's upcoming international fixtures as specified by FIFA.

AFA Fined 5.6 Billion Rupiah

Alongside penalties for players and officials, FIFA also imposed sanctions against the AFA. The Argentine football federation was fined 321,000 US Dollars, equivalent to approximately 5.6 billion Rupiah, after being found guilty of multiple violations committed during the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA stated the AFA violated Article 13 paragraph 2 point c regarding misuse of sporting events for non-sporting demonstrations, as well as Article 14 paragraph 5 concerning collective team disciplinary breaches.

The AFA was also found guilty of violating Article 15 on discrimination and racist harassment, relating to discriminatory chants and gestures displayed by the team's supporters.

Additionally, the Argentine federation was deemed to have breached Article 17 regarding match public order and security protocols.

Two Argentina Home Matches Restricted To 50% Capacity

Additional consequences were imposed in relation to the Article 15 FDC violations. FIFA has ordered Argentina to host its next two official home matches with only 50% spectator capacity permitted.

However, a portion of this penalty has been placed under probationary suspension. FIFA ruled that one of the two restricted home matches, along with 100,000 US Dollars of the total fine, will be suspended for the duration of the probation period.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee also mandated that 100,000 US Dollars from the total 321,000 US Dollar fine must be allocated exclusively to anti-discrimination outreach programmes.

This measure confirms the penalties are not only addressing on-pitch conduct during the tournament, but also systemic issues of discrimination and unacceptable supporter behaviour.

Argentina Granted 10 Days To Submit Formal Response

FIFA confirmed all involved parties received formal notification of the Disciplinary Committee's ruling on Friday.

The sanctioned parties have 10 working days to submit an official response against the decision, accompanied by formal legal justifications.

These sanctions represent a major consequence for Argentina following their 2026 World Cup campaign.

Alongside being without key players for upcoming fixtures, the AFA now faces a substantial financial penalty as well as spectator capacity restrictions for two home matches.