Molina's Ban Cut After Final Brawl, but Paredes's 10-Match Suspension Stands

World football governing body FIFA has reviewed the punishments handed to Argentina players banned over the unwanted clash in the World Cup final against Spain. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed FIFA’s decision.

Under the new decision, defender Nahuel Molina’s seven-match ban has been reduced to four matches for striking Spanish midfielder Rodri while he was celebrating after the final win. FIFA’s appeals division has also reduced his financial fine from 90,000 dollars to 60,000 dollars.

However, the body has shown no leniency towards another experienced midfielder, Leandro Paredes. His long 10-match ban and 90,000-dollar fine remain unchanged for striking Eric Garcia late in the match and clashing with Gavi.

Alongside Paredes’s ban, FIFA’s disciplinary committee has also upheld the 321,000-dollar fine imposed on the Argentine Football Federation over discriminatory chants by supporters.

But the AFA has announced it will take Paredes’s long suspension and the financial penalty to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The association said it will complete the appeal process after receiving FIFA’s full written reasoning, presenting the necessary evidence and legal arguments.

Earlier, in the same incident, FIFA had handed Thiago Almada a one-match ban and assistant coach Roberto Ayala a three-match ban for striking Spanish forward Dani Olmo; both were served during the previous international break.

Meanwhile, coach Lionel Scaloni’s side are set to play two friendly matches this month. In their first match after Lionel Messi’s retirement from international football, Argentina will face Uruguay in Buenos Aires on November 13, and then take on Costa Rica in Cordoba on November 17.