FIFA accepted the request from AFA and allowed Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, and Thiago Almada to serve their suspensions in A-class friendlies and official matches
The change could be especially important during the remainder of 2026. FIFA has scheduled two international windows: the first will take place between September 21 and October 6, during which Argentina could play up to four friendlies, while the second will be between November 9 and 17, with a maximum of two matches.
If class A friendlies are held during both dates, the National Team would have the opportunity to reduce a considerable part of the sanctions before facing the official commitments of 2027. Paredes, for example, could serve up to six matches of his lengthy suspension in the next two windows, depending on the number of matches Argentina plays.
Despite this flexibility, the AFA does not consider the case closed. The approval of the request constitutes just a first step and the association has indicated that it will continue with its strategy to try to reduce or overturn the sanctions. "In defense of its rights and those of its players, it is awaiting the grounds for the decisions in order to file the corresponding appeals before FIFA's Appeals Committee, with the CAS potentially as the last instance," it stated in its communication.
Thus, the Albiceleste found a way to begin serving the suspensions before the next official matches, although it still keeps the dispute open to review the original sanctions. The final resolution may not arrive until the appeal process before the relevant bodies progresses.
The sanctions that had left several members of the Argentine National Team with a complicated outlook for the upcoming commitments will finally have an alternative that eases the situation. The FIFA accepted the request made by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and allowed the suspensions to be served in class A friendly matches and/or official matches, depending on which takes place first.
The measure applies to Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada, and Roberto Ayala, who had been punished for the incidents that occurred during and after the final of the 2026 World Cup against Spain. Initially, the penalties were to be served only in certain official matches, so the modification will allow them to start reducing their suspensions during the upcoming international windows.
Paredes received a suspension of 10 matches for grabbing Eric García by the neck and throwing Gavi to the ground. Molina was sanctioned with 7 matches for hitting Rodri, while Almada received 1 match for his involvement in the first brawl. Meanwhile, Ayala, a member of Lionel Scaloni's coaching staff, will have to serve 3 matches for hitting Dani Olmo in the face.
