Argentina Take FIFA World Cup Sanctions To CAS

The Argentina Football Association (AFA) has taken its dispute with FIFA over sanctions imposed following the 2026 World Cup final to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The association announced on Saturday that it had filed an appeal against the disciplinary measures handed down by FIFA over incidents involving Argentina players, officials and supporters after their defeat to Spain.

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes received the heaviest punishment, with FIFA handing him a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine for his involvement in the confrontation with Spanish players.

Paredes was accused of grabbing Spanish defender Eric Garcia by the throat and bringing Gavi down to the ground while holding his substitute’s bib. His actions contributed to the tension that followed the final whistle.

The incident happened after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

FIFA also imposed a $321,000 fine on the Argentine football association for several disciplinary violations connected to the conduct of the team and its supporters.

The charges included using a sporting event to promote activities unrelated to sports, misconduct by team members, and discriminatory chants and gestures from Argentine supporters.

Other members of the Argentine delegation were also punished over their involvement in the incidents. They included Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and Roberto Ayala, who was part of the team’s coaching staff.

In its latest statement, the AFA disclosed that FIFA’s appeals committee had rejected its challenge against the punishments given to Paredes and the association.

However, the committee reviewed Molina’s punishment and reduced his suspension from seven matches to four. His financial penalty was also lowered from $90,000 to $60,000.

Despite the partial reduction in Molina’s punishment, the Argentine football association said it was not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal.

The association has now decided to take its case against FIFA’s decisions to CAS, seeking a review of the sanctions imposed on it and Paredes.

The development means the disciplinary dispute arising from the 2026 World Cup final could continue beyond FIFA’s internal appeals process as Argentina seeks another opportunity to challenge the punishments.