FIFA bans Argentina's Paredes 10 games over World Cup final melee with Spain

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced a wave of sanctions against Argentina's soccer team and Spanish star Gavi on Friday, Aug. 21, after an investigation into the post-match brawl that occurred in the wake of Spain's win in the World Cup Final last month.

Four players were suspended and fined by FIFA, with Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes handed a 10-game suspension and $90,000 fine for his actions that sparked the fight between the two teams. Veteran Argentina fullback Nahuel Molina (seven-match suspension, $90,000 fine), Argentina midfielder Thiago Almada (one-match suspension, $30,000 fine) and team official and former Argentina star Roberto Ayala (three-match suspension, $30,000) and Gavi (one-match suspension, $30,000 fine) were also punished after FIFA previously appointed a prosecutor to look into the incident potential breaches of the organization's disciplinary code.

Paredes, Molina and Ayala are each being charged with "assault" by FIFA, while Almada and Gavi have been charged with "unsporting behavior" in accordance with FIFA's disciplinary code. The players now have 10 days to request a motivated decision and present their position. There is also an appeals process they can go through.

• Leandro Paredes: 10-game suspension, $90,000 fine
• Nahuel Molina: 7-match suspension, $90,000 fine
• Roberto Ayala: 3-match suspension, $30,000 fine
• Thiago Almada: 1-match suspension, $30,000 fine

Spain midfielder Gavi was given a one-match suspension and $30,000 fine by FIFA. He was charged with "unsporting behavior," according to FIFA's disciplinary code.

FIFA doled out additional penalties to the Argentinian Football Association "after a thorough assessment of the relevant cases," it said in Friday's announcement.

The AFA was fined $321,000 for "breaches of articles 13 paragraph 2 c) (Using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature), 14 paragraph 5 (Team misconduct), 15 (Discrimination and racist abuse) in light of discriminatory chants and gestures by its supporters, and 17 (Order and security at matches) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC)."

Argentina was also ordered to play its next two home matches at 50% capacity, but one of the two matches and $100,000 of the fine are suspended with a probationary period to apply. It must invest $100,000 of the fine into a plan to combat discrimination, according to FIFA.

Paredes was given a red card after Spain's 1-0 win at MetLife Stadium after he rushed toward Spain's Eric Garcia and violently grabbed him by the throat, knocking him to the turf in front of assistant referee Tomaž Klančnik and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.

Paredes was later seen shoving Gavi as the match-long tension between the two sides briefly overshadowed the historic result.

Video from the post-match incident also appeared to show Molina throwing a punch to the midsection of Spain captain Rodri as he ran near midfield with his teammates celebrating immediately after the final whistle. In addition, video also surfaced of Ayala allegedly punching Spain's Dani Olmo after the game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FIFA bans Argentina's Paredes 10 games over World Cup final melee with Spain