Follow us on Google Discover Henry Winter has questioned whether FIFA let the Argentine Football Association off lightly while individual players took the heaviest punishment.
The sanctions landed more than a month after Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina in the World Cup final. Leandro Paredes received the harshest, a 10-match international ban and a $90,000 fine, while Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven games with the same fine.
For Winter, the contrast between the two penalties is the problem.
Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty ImagesHenry Winter questions ‘relative leniency’ for the AFA
The journalist wrote on X:
‘Probably what we expected of FIFA’s Argentina punishment for assorted World Cup excesses: relative leniency for the Argentinian FA and chunky bans for two scrap-happy individual players.’
Probably what we expected of FIFA’s Argentina punishment for assorted World Cup excesses: relative leniency for the Argentinian FA and chunky bans for two scrap-happy individual players.
The AFA, which made $33m in prize money from the World Cup, punished by FIFA with…
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) August 21, 2026
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The AFA was fined $321,000 for several disciplinary breaches. That includes the Falkland Islands banner shown after the semi-final win over England, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures from supporters.
They must also play their next two home matches at 50% capacity, with one of those restrictions suspended. $100,000 of the fine is suspended too, subject to a probationary period.
Here is where the numbers start to look unbalanced. Argentina reportedly earned around $33 million from their World Cup campaign, so the fine barely scratches the surface of what the tournament delivered.
Thiago Almada was banned for one match, Roberto Ayala for three, and Spain’s Gavi also picked up a one-match ban.
Paredes has not accepted his own punishment quietly. He accused FIFA of favouritism towards Spain, insisting the disciplinary outcome focused on his reaction rather than what provoked it.
‘I get 10 games ban and $90,000 after I defended myself,’ he said. ‘It’s obvious they didn’t care to know what the guy said to me but are interested in how I reacted.’
‘If reverse was the case, everyone will say FIFA is helping Argentina but they are all mute now,’ he added.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
The AFA will not let it rest there. It plans to request the grounds of the decisions, appeal to FIFA’s Appeals Committee and, if needed, take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
FIFA’s verdict stands for now, but the real debate is proportional. Whether a $321,000 fine counts as a punishment for a federation that banked roughly $33 million is a question Winter has put firmly on the table.
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