AFA takes disciplinary fight to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after heavy fines and player bans.
The Argentine Football Association announced on Saturday that it has officially appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding the strict sanctions imposed by FIFA following a chaotic World Cup final.
The disciplinary action stems from heated on-field clashes and crowd incidents that occurred during the high-stakes match between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, which Spain won 1-0.
Seeking to overturn the hefty financial penalties and lengthy player suspensions, the football association is escalating the legal battle internationally, according to information published by punchng.
Leandro Paredes Faces Heaviest Sanction
Midfielder Leandro Paredes bore the brunt of the disciplinary action issued by FIFA, receiving a severe 10-game ban and a 90,000 dollar fine for his aggressive involvement in the post-match altercations.
According to official match reports, the player grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestled Gavi to the ground while holding a substitute bib, triggering a major escalation on the pitch.
Although the FIFA appeals body previously rejected complaints filed by the Argentine Football Association regarding these specific punishments, the association remains determined to fight the ruling.
AFA And Coaching Staff Penalties
The governing body of Argentine football was handed a massive 321,000 dollar fine due to multiple breaches of the official disciplinary code during the tournament in New Jersey.
These violations included using a major sports event for non-sporting demonstrations, general team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures originating from supporters in the stands.
In addition to the association and Leandro Paredes, officials confirmed that Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada, and coaching staff member Roberto Ayala also received bans and fines.
Partial Relief For Nahuel Molina
Despite the widespread disciplinary measures, the FIFA appeals body did offer a minor concession by reviewing the punishment initially handed down to defender Nahuel Molina.
His original sanction was successfully reduced from a seven-match ban and a 60,000 dollar fine, offering a slight relief to the national team setup ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
Encouraged by this partial reduction, the Argentine Football Association confirmed it will now take its remaining appeals for both the association and Leandro Paredes directly to CAS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Argentina appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport?
The Argentine Football Association appealed to CAS to contest the heavy fines and player bans imposed by FIFA after post-match clashes at the World Cup final.
What punishment did Leandro Paredes receive from FIFA?
Midfielder Leandro Paredes received a 10-game suspension and a 90,000 dollar fine for grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestling Gavi to the ground.
How much was the AFA fined by FIFA?
The Argentine Football Association was fined 321,000 dollars for team misconduct, discriminatory chants, and non-sporting demonstrations during the tournament.
Which stadium hosted the World Cup final incidents?
The incidents took place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey following the final match between Argentina and Spain on July 19.
