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Argentina Set to Take Paredes Ban Fight to CAS After FIFA Rejects Appeals
The fallout from the 2026 World Cup final is far from over. Argentina’s football association says it will take its fight to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after FIFA rejected its appeals over heavy punishments for the federation and midfielder Leandro Paredes.
FIFA Stands Firm on Paredes and the AFA
FIFA has upheld the sanctions handed out after the chaotic scenes that followed Argentina’s 1-0 defeat by Spain in the final. Paredes received a 10-match ban for his part in the on-pitch clashes.
Team-mate Nahuel Molina was given a seven-game ban. Both players were also fined $90,000 (£66,000).
The AFA says FIFA reduced Molina’s suspension to four games. The sanction on Paredes, however, was left untouched.
The Sanctions at a Glance
| Party | Sanction | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Leandro Paredes | 10-match ban (appeal rejected) | $90,000 (£66,000) |
| Nahuel Molina | 7-match ban, reduced to 4 games according to the AFA | $90,000 (£66,000) |
| Argentina Football Association | Disciplinary code breaches | $321,000 (£235,000) |
What the AFA Was Fined For
The federation’s $321,000 (£235,000) fine covers several breaches of the FIFA disciplinary code. They include using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters.
The non-sporting demonstration charge links back to the semi-final. After beating England 2-1, several Argentina players held up a banner claiming Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory.
The Next Step: Reasons First, Then CAS
In a statement, the AFA said that, with FIFA upholding the punishments, it will first ask for the reasons behind the decisions. After that, it plans to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Requesting the written reasoning is a standard step before a case reaches CAS. It lets the federation see exactly how FIFA justified each sanction, and that will shape the arguments it makes.
The Final Whistle Flashpoint
The punishments stem from the scenes that unfolded as Spain celebrated their World Cup triumph in July. Paredes, Molina and Thiago Almada, along with assistant coach Roberto Ayala, all appeared to be involved in a fracas on the pitch.
Paredes seemed to push Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat. Unused substitute Gavi tried to intervene but was forced to the ground by Almada.
FIFA later appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess what happened before issuing its sanctions. The investigation was opened in July, and the bans were announced on 21 August.
Why This Matters for Argentina
A 10-match ban is a serious blow for a player of Paredes’ experience. It covers a long run of international fixtures, so any CAS ruling could directly affect Argentina’s selection plans.
The case also carries weight beyond one player. A CAS hearing would put FIFA’s disciplinary process, and the severity of its penalties, under independent scrutiny.
What Happens Next
The AFA has not yet lodged its CAS application. It is waiting on FIFA’s reasons before deciding how to frame its challenge.
For now, the suspensions stand. Whether CAS will shorten them, uphold them or leave them unchanged remains to be seen.
One thing is clear: the story that began with a World Cup final ending in controversy is heading for a legal showdown.
