After the brawl in the World Cup final: The heavy punishment received by Argentina players

FIFA did not overlook the events that took place at the end of the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain (1:0). The world football association announced today, Friday, a series of penalties against the national team players, staff members, and the Argentine Football Association, following the brawl after the final whistle.

The heaviest penalty was imposed on Leandro Paredes, who was suspended for ten matches of the Argentina national team following the events that took place at the end of the game. In addition to the suspension, the midfielder was fined $90,000. Nahuel Molina was also punished significantly and received a seven-match suspension as well as a fine of $90,000. Thiago Almada received a more moderate penalty of a one-match suspension and a fine of $30,000.

The penalties do not end with the players. Two staff members, Roberto Ayala and Pablo Martin Paes Gavira, were also punished for their involvement in the ugly brawl. Both were suspended and received a fine of $30,000 each. It should be noted that Gavi, the Spain national team midfielder, also received a one-match suspension and a fine of $30,000.

Alongside the personal penalties, FIFA imposed a significant fine on the Argentine Football Association as well — $321,000. The main reason for the fine is related, among other things, to a sign that was raised during the events surrounding the final match and contained a reference to the Malvinas Islands (Falkland Islands), as well as to fan behavior that included chants and gestures defined by FIFA as "discriminatory and racist".