Paredes banned for 10 games after World Cup final fracas, Argentina fined

Argentina's Leandro Paredes received a 10-match suspension for his part in a brawl after his team lost to Spain in the World Cup final while teammate Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven games, FIFA announced on Friday.

A brief scuffle erupted at the final whistle when Argentina midfielder Paredes shoved Spain's Gavi to the ground as the European champions' substitutes rushed onto the pitch to celebrate.

Paredes faced three assault counts while Molina faced two. Both players were also fined $90,000 each.

Argentina’s Thiago Almada and Spain’s Gavi faced one count each of unsporting behaviour, while Argentina's assistant coach Roberto Ayala faced one assault count.

While Almada and Gavi received one-match suspensions, Ayala, who had apologised for his part in the altercation, was banned for three games, with all three fined $30,000.

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) were fined a total of $321,000 for multiple disciplinary breaches during the World Cup, including the display by some players of a banner declaring Las Malvinas Son Argentinas (The Falklands are Argentine) following their semi-final win over England.

The AFA was also ordered to play Argentina's next two home matches with spectators limited to 50 per cent capacity.

FIFA had said using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature was a breach of the disciplinary code.

The fines were levied for breaches of the disciplinary code including use of a sports event for non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by fans.

"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee further determined that $100,000 of the $321,000 must be invested in a plan to combat discrimination," it said.

"The implementation of part of the sanction (one of the two matches and $100,000 of the fine) is suspended, with a probationary period to apply."

The decisions remain subject to appeal.