FIFA Cuts Molina's Ban, But Paredes Remains Sidelined in AFA Appeal
FIFA reduces Nahuel Molina's suspension but maintains Leandro Paredes' ban following the 2026 World Cup final incidents.
In a significant development following the fallout of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, FIFA's Appeal Committee has partially upheld the appeal filed by the Argentine Football Association (AFA). While some players have seen their punishments eased, other heavy sanctions remain firmly in place, leaving the AFA preparing for a potential legal battle at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Mixed Results for Argentina's Stars
The appeal brought a glimmer of relief for defender Nahuel Molina. FIFA has decided to reduce his suspension from seven matches down to four. Additionally, his financial penalty has been lowered from $90,000 to $60,000.
However, the news was not as positive for midfielder Leandro Paredes. Despite the AFA's efforts, FIFA has refused to budge on his punishment. Paredes still faces a grueling 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine following his involvement in a post-match ruckus after Argentina's heartbreaking loss to Spain, which was decided by a Ferran Torres extra-time winner.
The AFA's Stance and Next Steps
The Argentine Football Association has not yet conceded. In an official statement, the AFA revealed that they are requesting the specific grounds for these decisions. The association maintains that they possess "sufficient arguments from both a factual and legal standpoint" to justify a full review of the sanctions. If the explanations provided by FIFA are deemed unsatisfactory, the AFA intends to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
A Legacy of Controversy: The World Cup Final Fallout
The individual player sanctions are part of a much larger disciplinary crackdown following the 2026 World Cup. The AFA was slapped with a massive fine of $321,000 for multiple breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC). These violations included:
- Using a sporting event for non-sporting demonstrations.
- General team misconduct.
- Discrimination and racist abuse.
- Failure to maintain order and security during matches.
Much of this disciplinary action stemmed from discriminatory gestures and chants made by Argentina supporters throughout the tournament. As a result, FIFA ordered that Argentina's next two home matches be played with only 50 per cent spectator capacity. Furthermore, $100,000 of the total fine must be dedicated to a program aimed at fighting discrimination.
It is worth noting that FIFA has suspended part of the sanction—including one of the home-match restrictions and $100,000 of the fine—under a probationary period.
Other Individual Penalties
The chaos of the final between Spain and Argentina didn't just affect Molina and Paredes. Several other figures were penalized based on the Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor's report:
- Thiago Almada: One-match suspension and a $30,000 fine.
- Roberto Ayala (Team Official): Three-match suspension and a $30,000 fine.
- Pablo Martin Paez Gavira (Spain): One-match suspension and a $30,000 fine.