Sports Desk

FIFA has handed out bans totalling 21 games to Argentina’s players and staff following a scuffle that unfolded after the team’s loss to Spain in the final of the World Cup, reports The Athletic.

Global football’s governing body confirmed the sanctions on Friday. It had launched an investigation into the incident in July.

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has been banned for 10 matches after appearing to grab Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat and then throwing midfielder Gavi to the ground.

Argentina defender Nahuel Molina has been banned for seven games after appearing to strike Spain midfielder Rodri in the stomach as he was running onto the pitch to celebrate alongside his teammates.

Both of them have also been fined $90,000.

Attacking midfielder Thiago Almada has been suspended for one match for unsporting behaviour. Roberto Ayala, an official for the Argentina team, has been banned for three matches for one count of assault.

The two have been fined $30,000 each.

Gavi is the only one on the Spanish side to be sanctioned, receiving a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine for unsporting behaviour.

The suspensions only impact international matches and will not affect club level games.

The Argentina Football Association has also been fined $310,000 in total and ordered to play its next home match with 50 percent stadium closure, and a second one-game partial stadium closure suspended for a probationary period. These sanctions were imposed for “using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature”, “discrimination and racist abuse” and “order and security at matches”.

FIFA says $100,000 of the fine will be “invested in a plan to combat discrimination”. An additional $100,000 is suspended for a probationary period.

After their 2-1 win over England, Argentina’s players celebrated with a banner referencing the two countries' conflict over the Falkland Islands.

“The parties were notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decisions today,” FIFA said. “In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have ten days to request a motivated decision… The decisions remain subject to appeal.”