Argentina given huge punishment for ugly World Cup final scenes with three players banned

FIFA have slapped three Argentina players with hefty bans following the ugly scenes that erupted during the World Cup final.

In world football's biggest game last month, Spain secured a 1-0 victory over Argentina with Ferran Torres scoring an extra-time winner.

A joyous occasion for Luis de la Fuente's men was soured by the actions of La Albiceleste, who let their emotions spill onto the pitch, with several of their players at the centre of controversy.

Leandro Paredes was the main culprit after grabbing Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat, before wrestling La Roja midfielder Gavi to the ground after a brief tussle.

Argentine teammate Thiago Almada assisted Paredes in the incident involving Gavi, and the pair were charged by FIFA following a disciplinary investigation.

Nahuel Molina was also charged with two accounts of assault - one completed, one suspended - and a charge of unsporting behaviour, after striking Spain midfielder Rodri during the celebrations.

FIFA have since confirmed their punishments for the three players involved in the brawl. Paredes - who already considered retiring after the World Cup - has been slapped with a 10-match ban and a fine of $90,000.

Molina has been given the same fine, but a seven-match suspension, while Almada will serve a one-game ban and a fine of $30,000.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) have also been ordered to play their next two home matches with 50% capacity, though one match of that sanction is suspended.

To make matters worse, the AFA were slapped with a $321,000 (£243,000) fine for breaking the FIFA disciplinary code relating to using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants.

That was because the Argentine players held a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", which translates as "The Falklands are Argentine" following their 2-1 semi-final victory over England.

Egypt could face FIFA ban after Argentina controversy

Controversy followed Argentina throughout the tournament, notably in their last 16 clash against Egypt and semi-final win over England.

La Albiceleste received backlash from several Egyptian players and backroom staff after several refereeing decisions went against the African side.

Lionel Scaloni's men staged a dramatic comeback to win 3-2 after going 2-0 down, but their opponents felt Lionel Messi's goal shouldn't have stood because there was a foul in the build-up.

Egypt winger Mostafa Ziko claimed that the World Cup was "rigged" in Argentina's favour, saying: "Congratulations to Argentina on the World Cup. The tournament is rigged, the referee was unjust, from the start of the match he was against us, and he wasted the efforts of an entire nation. Were they going to let us beat Argentina 2-0? The tournament is rigged, and congratulations to Argentina on the World Cup."

Meanwhile, Egypt manager Hossam Hassan felt the refereeing calls were "unjust", signalling his anger by holding up an 'X' gesture towards official Francois Letexier.

The Egyptian FA are now facing a punishment for their post-match comments, confirming in a statement on Thursday (August 20).

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"The Egyptian federation is following the disciplinary proceedings that the International Federation of Association Football has begun against Hossam Hassan, the national team's head coach, Ibrahim Hassan, the team's manager, and the player Mustafa Ziko, on the back of their statements after the Egypt v Argentina match at the 2026 World Cup," it read.

"The federation affirms its respect for FIFA's regulations and procedures, and the necessary responses and legal memoranda will be submitted within the specified deadlines, while confirming its support and backing for those concerned by the proceedings and the defence of the rights of Egyptian football, through official channels."