FIFA opens investigation into Paredes and Gavi following World Cup final incidents
Also under investigation are Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada, Roberto Ayala, and the AFA.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to open an investigation into Spanish player Gavi and Argentina’s Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada, and Roberto Ayala, assistant to Lionel Scaloni, regarding the incidents in which they were involved at the end of the recent World Cup final, which Spain won against Argentina (1-0).
World football’s governing body also announced that it will open another investigation into the Argentine Football Association (AFA) for discriminatory chants and gestures, delays in the start of matches, non-compliance with match and security protocols, the display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators, and the throwing of objects by spectators across several of the Argentine national team’s matches.
FIFA decided to initiate these proceedings against the Argentine footballers and Gavi after receiving the report from the prosecutor designated for disciplinary and ethics cases.
This is the statement issued by FIFA regarding the case involving the players:
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has received the report from the designated disciplinary and ethics prosecutor regarding the incidents that occurred during the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 (Spain vs. Argentina) and, following the recommendation contained therein, has initiated disciplinary proceedings — for potential breaches of Article 14, paragraph 1, letter i) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (assault) — against Argentine players Nahuel Molina (two charges, one completed and one attempted) and Leandro Paredes (three charges), as well as against Argentine coaching staff member Roberto Ayala (one charge). Likewise, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated — for potential breaches of Article 14, paragraph 1, letter b) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (unsporting behavior) — against Argentine players Nahuel Molina (one charge) and Thiago Almada (one charge), as well as against Spanish player Pablo Martín Páez Gavira (one charge).
In accordance with the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the defendants have been granted the opportunity to present their position, after which the FIFA Disciplinary Committee will issue a ruling at a later date."
Proceedings against the AFA
The investigation opened against the AFA is based on various breaches of Articles 13, 14, 15, and 17 committed throughout the World Cup:
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has initiated proceedings against the Argentine Football Association for potential breaches of Article 13, paragraph 2, letter c) (using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature), Article 14, paragraph 5 (misconduct), Article 15 (Discrimination and racist harassment), and Article 17 (Order and security at matches) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, in light of discriminatory chants and gestures, delays in the start of matches, non-compliance with match and security protocols, the display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators, and the throwing of objects by spectators across several of the Argentine national team’s matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026.”
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.