FIFA has imposed severe disciplinary sanctions on several Argentina players following misconduct after their World Cup final defeat to Spain.
Leandro Paredes received a 10-match suspension, while Nahuel Molina was banned for seven matches. Both were also fined $90,000. Assistant coach Roberto Ayala was suspended for three matches, while Thiago Almada and Spain’s Gavi will each miss one game.
Television footage showed Paredes knocking Spain defender Eric García to the ground and grabbing him by the throat before becoming involved in another confrontation with Gavi.
The Argentine Football Association was also punished after players displayed a political banner about the Falkland Islands following their semifinal win over England. Argentina must play its next home match with no more than 50% stadium capacity.
The association was also fined $221,000, with $100,000 of that amount required to be spent on anti-discrimination campaigns.