Argentina’s response to the post-final punishments moved on two tracks in the days after Friday’s ruling: a legal challenge from the federation and an on-record broadside from the player carrying the heaviest sanction.
The AFA’s legal advisor, Andrés Paton Urich, told reporters that the association will first request FIFA’s written grounds for the rulings, then file formal appeals to the Appeals Committee, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) held in reserve as a final option.
“We don’t like the sanctions; we knew there would be some, but we expected less. We understand that those for Paredes, Molina and Ayala are excessive for what they did, so we will seek to have them mitigated.”
The 10-match international ban handed to Paredes, along with a $90,000 fine, effectively takes the Boca Juniors midfielder out of the Argentina squad for close to a year. FIFA also suspended Nahuel Molina for seven matches with a $90,000 fine, assistant coach Roberto Ayala for three matches and $30,000, and Thiago Almada for one match and $30,000. On the Spain side, midfielder Gavi received a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine.
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Paredes: ‘they are all mute now’
Paredes did not accept the ban quietly. In comments carried by international outlets, the midfielder accused FIFA of a double standard, arguing the reaction would have been sharper had the punishment gone in the opposite direction.
“Yes, we can see the favoritism given to the Spanish players by the officials and FIFA. I get 10 games ban and $90,000 after I defended myself.”
“Well, if reverse was the case, everyone will say FIFA is helping Argentina but they are all mute now.”
FIFA disciplinary papers describe Paredes grabbing Eric García by the throat and pushing Gavi to the ground in the confrontation that followed the final whistle at MetLife Stadium.
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The AFA fine and the Falkland Islands banner
The Argentine federation itself was fined $321,000 and ordered to play its next home match at 50% capacity, with a second capacity restriction suspended. Those charges are not part of the appeal.
Part of the fine covers a banner Argentina players carried after the semi-final win over England, referencing the Falkland Islands. The rest relates to discriminatory chants during the tournament and the on-field clashes themselves.
The final was won by Spain 1-0 after extra time in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal. Argentina finished the match with 10 men after Enzo Fernández was shown a red card.
Ten days to draft the appeal
Under FIFA’s disciplinary code, the parties have 10 days from the ruling to request the reasoned decisions, after which the clock starts on the appeal itself. The AFA plans to build its case around frame-by-frame video reviews and precedents from earlier assault-style sanctions.
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“Once that’s done, the Appeals Committee will issue its decision, which may validate the sanction or modify it. If the Committee upholds the sanctions, we will evaluate going to the [Court of Arbitration for Sport],” Paton Urich said.
The urgency comes from what the ban actually blocks. Argentina’s next competitive fixtures are World Cup qualifiers, and the international suspension applies across all of them.
“The sanction applies to competitions like the World Cup qualifiers, and that’s why we want to appeal this sanction, which we consider unfair and excessive.”
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