Argentina Find a Way to Ease Paredes and Molina Bans
The AFA secured a major concession from FIFA that could significantly accelerate Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina’s returns after their World Cup sanctions.
Argentina have received a major boost in their efforts to bring Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina back into the fold. FIFA approved a request from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) allowing the suspensions imposed after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to be served in Class A international friendlies rather than exclusively in competitive matches.
The ruling significantly reduces the sporting impact of two sanctions that threatened to keep both players sidelined at international level for an extended period. Paredes was handed a 10-match suspension and a £65,000 fine, while Molina received a seven-game ban.
Both were punished for their involvement in the brawl that followed Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final. Paredes received the harsher sanction after grabbing Eric García by the throat, striking Gavi in the face and shoving him to the ground, while Molina was punished for striking Rodri in the torso.
The AFA found a way out
Faced with the severity of the punishments, Argentina’s federation went directly to FIFA in an attempt to change how the suspensions could be served.
“The AFA has formally requested FIFA to allow the sanctions imposed on its players during the 2026 World Cup final, and on the association itself, to be served in Class A friendly matches and/or official matches, whichever comes first,” the AFA said in a statement.
The request was successful. FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee approved it under the current regulations, meaning international friendlies can now count toward Paredes and Molina’s suspensions.
Argentina, however, are not considering the matter closed. The AFA said it is still waiting for the written reasoning behind the disciplinary decisions before filing appeals with FIFA’s Appeal Committee, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) potentially serving as the final avenue.
A final that kept producing consequences
Paredes and Molina were not the only players punished following the incidents that overshadowed the end of the World Cup. Thiago Almada and Spain midfielder Gavi were each handed one-match suspensions for their involvement in the confrontation.
Argentina’s coaching staff also faced consequences. Assistant coach Roberto Ayala was among those sanctioned by FIFA following the post-match scenes.
The friendly-match ruling is particularly significant for Paredes and Molina because of the length of their bans. What initially threatened to become a problem stretching far into Argentina’s future can now be resolved considerably sooner.
Another controversy followed Argentina home
The brawl against Spain was not Argentina’s only disciplinary problem at the tournament. Following their semifinal victory over England, several players, including Lionel Messi, Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso and Lisandro Martínez, were seen celebrating with a banner claiming Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.
The players avoided individual suspensions, but FIFA punished the AFA with a £235,000 fine, £73,000 of which was suspended.
Argentina must also play their next two home matches with a partial stadium closure limiting capacity to 50 percent. An additional one-match closure was suspended.
Friendlies could become Argentina’s solution
The new ruling gives Argentina a straightforward path forward. The national team can schedule a series of Class A international friendlies and use those matches to gradually clear the suspensions.
The circumstances make that option particularly valuable. Argentina are already guaranteed a place at the next FIFA World Cup as co-hosts of the tournament’s centenary matches, meaning their next major competitive tournament will not arrive until the 2028 Copa América.
That gives the AFA plenty of time to organize friendlies and accelerate the returns of Paredes and Molina. Their suspensions have not disappeared, but Argentina have found a way to dramatically reduce their sporting impact.
3 Key Takeaways From Argentina’s FIFA Bans
- FIFA approved the AFA’s request: Paredes and Molina can serve their suspensions in Class A friendlies as well as competitive matches.
- The bans remain significant: Paredes received a 10-match suspension and Molina seven games for their roles in the post-final brawl against Spain.
- Argentina can accelerate their returns: scheduling international friendlies gives the AFA a path to clear both bans well before the national team’s next major competitive tournament.
