Ángel Di María came to the defense of Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina, two of the players from the Argentine National Team most penalized by FIFA after the incidents that occurred in the final of the 2026 World Cup against Spain. The current captain of Rosario Central considered the suspensions excessive and expressed confidence that both could be reduced following the appeal that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is preparing.
"I always talk (with Paredes). It’s exaggerated. Surely it will be much less, not just for him, but for Nahuel", Di María stated in the mixed zone after the 2-2 draw between Central and Talleres, where he was a key player with two goals.
The former player of the Argentine National Team understood that the fight that occurred after the defeat against Spain could lead to sanctions, although he questioned the severity of them. "It’s something that could happen, because they got into it at the end, but it’s all quite exaggerated", he added.
FIFA imposed ten matches of suspension on Paredes, along with a fine of 90,000 dollars, while Molina received seven matches and a financial penalty of the same amount. Meanwhile, Thiago Almada was punished with one match and 30,000 dollars, while Roberto Ayala, a member of Lionel Scaloni's coaching staff, received three matches and the same monetary fine. On the Spanish side, only Gavi was cautioned, receiving the same penalty as Almada.
These sanctions must be served in the Qualifiers and the AFA has already announced that it will appeal the rulings that are reviewable. The strategy will mainly focus on trying to reduce the punishments for Paredes and Molina.
It should be clarified that the players were not the only ones punished. The international body also sanctioned the AFA itself for various incidents that occurred during the World Cup, including "discriminatory chants and gestures" from the fans and the display of a Malvinas flag during the celebration after the victory against England in the semifinals.
For those events, the Association will have to face fines of 321,000 dollars and the Albiceleste will have to play its next two home matches in the Qualifiers with a 50% reduction in capacity. The measures, like the individual sanctions, can still be appealed.
