Argentina slapped with 10-game ban and whopping punishment over Falklands banner
Argentina have been dealt a severe punishment for the actions of players and their decision to display a Falkland Islands banner
Argentina have been punished by FIFA for their World Cup antics(Image: (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images))
FIFA have confirmed the punishments for Argentina after brawling with Spain players and their Falkland Islands banner after beating England. The latter incident took place in the semi-final while a number of Argentina representatives brawled with Spain players and staff members following their defeat in the final.
Nahuel Molina and Leandro Parades were the two players prominently involved in the brawls that followed the World Cup final. The latter has been slapped with a 10-game ban while Molina is suspended for the next seven matches.
The duo have also been hit with £66,000 fines as confirmed by FIFA. In addition to financial punishment on players specifically, Argentina have been fined for both their conduct and for “using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature”.
Argentina have been fined for “using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature”
The latter is related to their Falklands Island banner and that hefty fine totals approximately €321,000 (£235,000). England and Argentina both claim the Falklands Island territory as their own with the dispute dating back to the 19th century.
The white sheet read “Los Malvinas Son Argentinas” which translates to, “the Falklands are Argentina”. The action caused major uproar with high-profile figures demanding punishment.
No players were ultimately banned for the final but the actions of some after that game have seen a select few face consequences. In addition to Parades and Molina, it has been stated that Thiago Almada is banned for one game while assistant coach Roberto Ayala has also been suspended for the next three Argentina matches.
Spain midfielder Gavi, who was on the end of Argentina’s post-match attacks, has also been imposed with a one-game suspension. All three have also been fined approximately £22,000.
Gavi was one of the first Spain players to confront Leandro Parades
Part of FIFA’s statement read: “After a thorough assessment of the relevant cases, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed the following sanctions for incidents at different FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches:
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“Argentinian Football Association (AFA): fines amounting to USD 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).
“In line with article 69 paragraphs 2 a) and 3 of the FDC, the match suspensions are carried over to the next matches of the relevant representative teams.”
They have also confirmed that Argentina will be forced to play with only a 50 per cent attendance for their next two games.
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