The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against disciplinary sanctions imposed by FIFA over incidents involving players and supporters during the World Cup final against Spain.
The AFA announced the decision on Saturday, following the rejection of its complaint by FIFA’s appeals body, which upheld the sanctions imposed on the association and midfielder Leandro Paredes.
Paredes received the heaviest individual punishment, with a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine for his involvement in clashes with Spanish players following the final, which Spain won 1-0 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
The Argentine midfielder was accused of grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat and wrestling Gavi to the ground while holding his substitute’s bib, as tensions escalated during the post-match incidents.
AFA fined $321,000
FIFA also fined the AFA $321,000 over breaches of its disciplinary code relating to the use of a sporting event for non-sporting demonstrations, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by supporters.
Other members of the Argentine delegation, including Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and coaching staff member Roberto Ayala, were also sanctioned with suspensions and financial penalties over their involvement in the incidents.
In a statement, the AFA said FIFA’s appeals body had rejected its challenge against the sanctions imposed on Paredes and the association.
However, the appeals body reduced Molina’s punishment from a seven-match suspension and $90,000 fine to a four-match ban and $60,000 fine.
Argentina takes fight to CAS
Despite the partial reduction of Molina’s punishment, the Argentine football governing body said it would pursue further appeals against the sanctions imposed on the association and Paredes before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The move takes the disciplinary dispute beyond FIFA’s internal appeals process, with the AFA seeking a review of the penalties imposed following the controversial final.