Argentina punishment decided as World Cup chaos leaves FIFA with no choice | Football | Sport

While it was Spain who won the World Cup at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, it is likely to be Argentina’s actions that live longest in the memory. Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in a game that often lacked entertainment but found fireworks upon the full-time whistle.

Argentina had already provoked criticism for their approach and biting tackles throughout the tournament, but few expected punches to be thrown after they fell short at the final hurdle of the tournament. Red mist descended upon Leandro Paredes, who grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat and threw Gavi to the ground, while Nahuel Molina appeared to throw a punch in Rodri’s direction.

Even a member of the coaching staff, former international Roberto Ayala, seemed to hit Dani Olmo in the face. And given the disgraceful scenes, a punishment looks set to follow as FIFA confirmed they would investigate the incidents.

In a statement on Monday, FIFA said: ”Following an assessment of the relevant match reports for the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, and in line with article 36 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FDC with regard to the post-match incidents.”

With that said, our writers have decided what punishment should await.

Scott Trotter

A lot has been said about Argentina throughout the tournament. A lot of it has been overblown and hypocritical with regard to cheating. However, the scenes at full time in the World Cup final were nothing short of disgraceful, and those involved should be severely punished.

It’s scarcely believable that an all-out brawl didn’t unfold during what should be one of the more poignant moments in football – the best team in the World has just been crowned. Lengthy bans should await the likes of Paredes and Molina. I would also like to see part of that ban reserved for the next World Cup, too, but it’s perhaps unlikely either will still be in the team in four years’ time if Argentina hope to be competitive.

Luis Suarez was suspended for nine internationals after biting Giorgi Chiellini, while Mauro Tassotti was hit by an eight-match ban for an elbow on Luis Enrique in 1994. Something comparable could be awarded here, and given this was when the match was already over, FIFA may decide to throw the book at them.

Kieran Horn

Argentina’s gamesmanship tactics during World Cup games are frowned upon, but in order to do anything to win, it can almost be commended.

However, as soon as the full-time whistle goes, that stops, and respect must be shown. What a select few Argentina players did is absolutely disgraceful.

Any player or staff member who quite literally threw punches should be facing a ban of at least five games, while the federation itself must be slapped with a significant fine.

I’d argue that those heavily involved should just be stopped from playing football for a period of time to really send a message, but FIFA may not have the power to do as such over other governing bodies.

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Bruna Reis

Argentina’s disgraceful conduct during and after the World Cup final crossed a clear line from competitive fire into outright unsporting behaviour. FIFA can’t afford to brush this off with a wrist‑slap, and targeted sanctions are essential if the integrity of future finals is going to mean anything.

The full‑time brawls weren’t ‘passion’; they were a collapse in professionalism on the biggest stage in world football. If FIFA lets this slide, it signals to players that the World Cup final is a stage where consequences simply don’t apply. Suspensions aren’t harsh – they are necessary to prevent this kind of behaviour.

That’s why the behaviour of Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and others involved in the melee cannot be ignored. A hefty fine and a multi-match ban would be a fair and proportionate response, and a vital step toward preventing this kind of chaos from becoming normalised.

Kieran King

For me, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes should get at least an 11-game ban from international football matches. His behaviour during and after his side’s World Cup final defeat to Spain was disgusting, and there should be no place for that in the sport we love.

First, Paredes should have been sent off in normal time for fouls that, in my opinion, warranted at least one second yellow card. At full-time, the Boca Juniors man appeared to grab Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat before pushing Gavi to the floor. That is unacceptable and deserves severe repercussions. I would hand him a ban of 11 matches, the same Eric Cantona got for pushing a referee. The one altercation was bad enough, but to then do it TWICE makes it inexcusable, and a long ban is needed.

Alongside Paredes’ ban, I think Nahuel Molina should receive some retrospective punishment for hitting Rodri. While I don’t see Molina’s case as serious and as bad as Paredes’, I do think Molina should serve at least a three-game suspension, as you would with a straight red card. Argentina’s coach Roberto Ayala then allegedly punched Spain attacker Dani Olmo – and that for me is an automatic touchline ban if not a stadium ban for a minimum of three matches. As for Argentina as a whole, I would give them a huge fine and one that is big enough to impact them so that such behaviour doesn’t happen again.

Mark Wakefield

There is no defence for what some Argentine players did after the final whistle at the World Cup final. You show respect to your opponent, no matter how much it hurts that you lost or if they are celebrating nearby.

It was disgraceful, and FIFA should act by handing out bans to those players involved. If they don’t, it would send the message that players can act that way again and won’t be punished.

FIFA need to make it clear that there is no place for violence in the game. The length of the ban would depend on the severity of the offence, but it should be at least several games.

Connor O’Neill

FIFA has to throw the book at Argentina. It is that simple. Their antics throughout the whole tournament, let alone on Sunday, were disgusting.

But what happened on Sunday was not surprising in any way. Argentina were very lucky against England; some decisions went their way. A tougher stance in that semi-final might have led to a better final on Sunday night.

What Argentina produced was the very definition of “anti-football”. Enzo Fernandez will no doubt be banned for one game following his red card, but FIFA should throw the book at both Leandro Paredes and Roberto Ayala.

Paredes should receive at least a five-game ban for his actions, and Ayala should receive the same, as FIFA needs to get tough with Argentina and show they aren’t messing about.