The Argentina Football Association (AFA) has announced it will escalate its disputes to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after FIFA refused to overturn punishments imposed on the association and midfielder Leandro Paredes.

Paredes received a 10-match ban following his involvement in on-field clashes that broke out after Argentina's 1-0 defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Fellow midfielder Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-game suspension, though FIFA later reduced it to four games. Both players were fined $90,000 (£66,000). The ban on Paredes, however, remained in full effect.

Falklands banner triggers heavy AFA fine

The AFA itself was fined $321,000 (£235,000) for multiple breaches of the FIFA disciplinary code. Those violations included using a sporting event for non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters.

The fine stemmed in part from an incident after Argentina's 2-1 semi-final victory over England, when several players unfurled a banner asserting Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands — a British overseas territory.

Post-final fracas on the pitch

The on-field disorder erupted at the conclusion of the World Cup final in July, as Spain's players celebrated their title. Argentina players Paredes, Molina, and Thiago Almada, along with assistant coach Roberto Ayala, were all reported to have been involved in the confrontation.

Paredes was seen appearing to grab Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat, while Gavi — an unused substitute — attempted to intervene before being forced to the ground by Almada.

FIFA subsequently appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to examine the events before determining the sanctions that have now been confirmed on appeal.

AFA awaits FIFA's formal reasoning

In a statement, the AFA confirmed that before formally lodging its case at CAS, it would first request FIFA's written reasoning behind the decisions — a standard procedural step ahead of an international arbitration challenge.