Argentina's football association announced Saturday it had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against FIFA sanctions imposed over incidents following the World Cup final against Spain on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which Spain won 1-0.
Midfielder Leandro Paredes received the harshest individual punishment: a 10-game ban and $90,000 fine for his role in clashes with Spanish players. During the post-match altercation, Paredes grabbed Eric García by the throat and wrestled Gavi to the ground while holding his substitute's bib, escalating the on-field incidents.
Defender Nahuel Molina was initially suspended for seven matches with an equivalent fine, though FIFA's appeals committee reduced his ban to four matches with lower fines. Assistant coach Roberto Ayala received a three-match suspension.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) itself was fined $321,000 for breaches of FIFA's disciplinary code, including using a sports event for non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures from supporters.
After the FIFA Appeals Committee rejected the AFA's initial challenge, the federation announced its decision to escalate the dispute to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to overturn all sanctions. The CAS appeal represents Argentina's final recourse within international sports law to contest the penalties.
The World Cup final incident marked a significant controversy in the tournament, with the post-match violence drawing widespread attention and prompting FIFA's disciplinary response. Argentina's decision to pursue the appeal underscores the federation's determination to challenge what it views as excessive sanctions for conduct that occurred after the match concluded.