Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has been suspended for 10 international matches and fined $90,000 for his involvement in a post-match brawl following the World Cup semi-final against Spain.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was also fined $321,000 for multiple disciplinary violations, including misconduct and discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters.
Argentina were additionally ordered to play their next two home matches behind closed doors, although one match of the sanction has been suspended.
Paredes was punished for grabbing Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestling midfielder Gavi to the ground during the confrontation after Spain’s 1-0 victory at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
Argentina players Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada were handed seven-match and one-match suspensions respectively. Molina was fined $90,000, while Almada was fined $30,000. Gavi received a similar punishment for his involvement in the incident.
The AFA said it would appeal the suspensions and fines.
The disciplinary action also relates to an incident following Argentina’s 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup semi-final, when several players displayed a banner claiming the Falkland Islands belonged to Argentina.
The Falklands War between Argentina and Britain in 1982 lasted 74 days and resulted in the deaths of 655 Argentine and 255 British servicemen, as well as three island residents.
