Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was handed a 10-match suspension for his role in a post-match brawl after Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain, while teammate Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven games, FIFA announced Friday.
A brief scuffle broke out at the final whistle after Paredes shoved Spain midfielder Gavi to the ground as Spain’s substitutes rushed onto the field to celebrate their victory.
Paredes was charged with three counts of assault, while Molina faced two. Both players were also fined $90,000.
Argentina’s Thiago Almada and Spain’s Gavi each faced one count of unsporting behavior, while Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala faced one assault count.
Almada and Gavi each received one-match suspensions, while Ayala, who apologized for his role in the altercation, was banned for three games. All three were fined $30,000.
