3 Games Served as FIFA Trims Molina Suspension Following AFA Appeal
The FIFA Appeal Committee has formally partially upheld an appeal submitted by the Argentine Football Association, reducing international full-back Nahuel Molina‘s suspension from seven matches to four. The administrative decision, issued on November 7, 2026, also lowers the Roma player’s disciplinary fine from $77,000 to $60,000 following sanctions stemming from the 2026 World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
FIFA Appeal Committee Partial Modification of Disciplinary Sanctions
The regulatory body evaluated the sanctions originally imposed after the post-match altercation between Argentina and Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium. While the committee granted a reduction for Molina, it fully upheld the disciplinary measures levied against midfielder Leandro Paredes, maintaining his 10-match international suspension and $90,000 fine without alteration.
Nahuel Molina
playerMolina served three fixtures of the four-game sanction during Argentina‘s October international window, sitting out friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin. Consequently, the defender has one match remaining on his adjusted suspension before restoring complete eligibility for selection under Argentine Football Association oversight.
Operational and Selection Adjustments for Argentina’s International Roster
National team manager Lionel Scaloni excluded Molina from the latest Argentina squad assembled for November international fixtures against Uruguay and Costa Rica. The full-back’s single remaining match ban ensures his availability for subsequent competitive call-ups once the sanction reaches full completion.
The contrast in legal outcomes leaves Argentina navigating disparate squad availability metrics across the defensive and midfield sectors. While Molina nears an immediate return to international duty, the confirmation of Paredes’s 10-match ban removes the midfielder from international selection across an extended competitive timeline.
| Player | Original Ban | Revised Ban | Original Fine | Revised Fine | Sanction Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nahuel Molina | 7 matches | 4 matches | $77,000 | $60,000 | 3 matches served (1 remaining) |
| Leandro Paredes | 10 matches | 10 matches | $90,000 | $90,000 | Upheld (0 matches remaining served) |