The Argentine Football Association has confirmed it will formally appeal the string of suspensions and fines FIFA handed down over the brawl that erupted at the final whistle of the World Cup final against Spain, and is keeping the Court of Arbitration for Sport in reserve as a last resort.
Spain won the July 19 final 1-0 after extra time, but the aftermath turned ugly as players from both squads clashed on the pitch once Spanish substitutes and staff poured on to celebrate. FIFA opened a disciplinary case within days and has now issued its rulings.
Leandro Paredes was hit hardest. Argentina's midfielder was suspended for ten international matches and fined $90,000 after footage showed him grabbing Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat before wrestling Gavi to the ground.
Given the density of the FIFA international calendar, a ten-match ban amounts to roughly a year on the sidelines for the national team, with Paredes not due to be available again until well into 2027.
Right-back Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven matches and fined $90,000 after being cited in two separate incidents, while forward Thiago Almada received a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine for unsporting conduct. Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala was also banned for three matches and fined $30,000.
Spain did not escape FIFA's attention either. Gavi was hit with a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine for his part in the confrontation, though the bulk of the sanctions fell on the Argentine camp.
The AFA itself was fined a combined $321,000 for a raft of tournament violations, among them a "Las Malvinas son argentinas" banner referencing the Falkland Islands, discriminatory chanting from sections of the crowd and objects thrown onto the pitch. FIFA has also ordered that Argentina's next home fixture be played with the stadium half-empty.
In a statement, the AFA said its legal department would move quickly to request FIFA's full grounds for each ruling so it can lodge formal appeals with the governing body's appeal committee, while explicitly reserving "the future option of appealing to the CAS as a final recourse."
None of the bans affect club football, so Paredes, Molina and Almada remain available for their respective sides. The dispute is squarely about Argentina's national team schedule, and the outcome of any appeal will determine how much of the world champions' immediate post-World Cup era Paredes actually gets to play.
