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The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has confirmed it will challenge a series of disciplinary sanctions imposed by FIFA following incidents during and after the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA announced fines totalling USD 321,000 against the AFA, along with sanctions against several Argentina players and a team official. The AFA has now provided further details of the individual cases and confirmed that its legal department intends to appeal the decisions.
AFA fined over supporter incidents
According to the AFA, one case concerned the display of a Falklands flag, which FIFA classified as the use of a sporting event for a non-sporting demonstration. The association was fined USD 10,000 for the incident, with a further USD 20,000 penalty for inappropriate spectator behaviour.
The most substantial supporter-related punishment relates to racist, homophobic and discriminatory chants and insults allegedly made by Argentine fans during matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, England and Spain.
For those incidents, the AFA says FIFA imposed a USD 100,000 fine, with another USD 100,000 suspended for six months. Argentina must also partially close 50 per cent of the stands for a future home match.
The proposed seating arrangement must incorporate anti-discrimination measures, including the possibility of supporters wearing anti-discrimination shirts or displaying banners promoting equality.
A separate case involving objects thrown onto the pitch, delays to the start of matches against Switzerland and England, and breaches of FIFA's security protocol resulted in another USD 91,000 fine.
Players handed lengthy suspensions
FIFA's disciplinary action also covered incidents following the World Cup final.
Leandro Paredes was handed a 10-match suspension and USD 90,000 fine, while Nahuel Molina received a seven-match ban and USD 90,000 fine.
Thiago Almada was suspended for one match and fined USD 30,000, while assistant technical director Roberto Fabián Ayala received a three-match suspension and USD 30,000 fine.
The AFA confirmed that these suspensions will be served during the next official matches involving Argentina's senior men's national team.
FIFA had also announced a one-match suspension and USD 30,000 fine for Spain's Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (Gavi) as part of its disciplinary findings.
AFA prepares legal challenge
Despite acknowledging receipt of the decisions, the AFA has made clear that it does not intend to accept the sanctions without a challenge.
The association said its Legal Management department will request FIFA to provide the grounds for the decisions that are subject to review, before submitting appeals to FIFA's Appeals Committee.
The AFA also stated that it reserves the possibility of taking the matter further to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if necessary.
The association's response means the disciplinary process could continue beyond FIFA's initial rulings, with Argentina potentially seeking to have some of the fines and sporting sanctions reduced or overturned.
The FIFA decisions remain subject to appeal under the governing body's disciplinary regulations.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Cristian Tarzi, Unsplash / Diego Castañeda
