Three Argentina players banned over brawl after World Cup final defeat

THREE ARGENTINA PLAYERS have been banned for their part in a brawl at the end of last month’s World Cup final against Spain, but the South American nation have only been fined for displaying a Falkland Islands banner after the semi-final win over England.

Midfielder Leandro Paredes has been hit hardest and given a 10-match ban and a 90,000 US Dollars (€77,000) fine by Fifa’s disciplinary committee, while defender Nahuel Molina was given a seven-match suspension and fined the same amount.

Thiago Almada was given a one-match ban and a 30,000 USD (€25,000) fine, while Argentina coach Roberto Ayala was banned for three matches and fined the same amount.

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Spain’s Gavi has also been given a one-match ban and a 30,000 USD (€25,000) fine.

Argentina’s football association (the AFA) has also been fined 321,000 US dollars (€275,000) in relation to the displaying of a banner at the end of the World Cup semi-final which read ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ which translates as ‘The Falkland Islands are Argentinian’.

The fine also covered breaches by Argentina supporters of FIFA’s anti-discrimination regulations at other World Cup matches. For the discrimination offences, the AFA has been ordered to play the country’s next home match at 50 per cent capacity, with a 50 per cent capacity restriction at a further match suspended. 

Written by Press Association and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.