A large share of the $34 million Argentina earned at the World Cup will be swallowed by FIFA sanctions, with midfielder Leandro Paredes handed a 10-match ban and a £66,000 fine. The ruling follows the brawl that erupted after the final against Spain, when Paredes grabbed an opponent by the throat. The melee on the pitch caught others too. Nahuel Molina was given a seven-match ban, Spain's Gavi one match. Chaos. The coaching staff were not spared either, although accounts of Roberto Ayala's suspension conflict, one putting it at a single match, another at three.
The physical confrontation had a political prelude. During their semi-final win over England, Argentina's players unfurled a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", Spanish for "The Falklands are Argentine". It cost the country £235,647 and forced the next two home fixtures to be played at 50 per cent capacity. Ultimately, the run to the title ended in heavy sporting and financial damage.
