FIFA reduces Molina's ban, upholds Paredes's 10-match suspension
World football's governing body FIFA has reviewed the punishments imposed on Argentina players who were banned following an unsavoury clash in the World Cup final against Spain. On appeal, FIFA reduced the punishment of defender Nahuel Molina but upheld the 10-match ban imposed on midfielder Leandro Paredes. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed FIFA's decision.
Under the new decision, Molina's seven-match ban — imposed for striking Spanish midfielder Rodri as he celebrated after the final win — has been reduced to four matches. FIFA's appeals division has also reduced his financial fine from 90,000 dollars to 60,000 dollars.
However, the body showed no leniency towards another experienced midfielder, Leandro Paredes. The lengthy 10-match ban and the 90,000-dollar fine imposed on the footballer, who was involved in striking Eric Garcia and clashing with Gavi in the closing stages of the match, have been kept unchanged.
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.
The AFA has announced it will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against Paredes's lengthy punishment and the financial fine order. The association said that after receiving the full written reasoning of FIFA's decision, it will complete the appeal process by presenting the necessary evidence and legal arguments.
Earlier, in the same incident, FIFA had imposed a one-match ban on Thiago Almada and a three-match ban on assistant coach Roberto Ayala for striking Spanish forward Dani Olmo, both of which ended during the previous international break.
Meanwhile, coach Lionel Scaloni's team are set to play two friendly matches this month. In their first match since Lionel Messi's retirement from international football, Argentina will face Uruguay in Buenos Aires on 13 November and then take on Costa Rica in Cordoba on 17 November.
