Strong FIFA sanction against Argentina and financial fine for Brazil after the violence at the Maracaná

The Disciplinary Commission of FIFA sanctioned the teams of Argentina, kilos, Colombia AND Uruguaydue to incidents in the qualifying matches for the World Cup 2026 played since last September. FIFA confirmed the decisions of its disciplinary body on Wednesday, which also include financial sanctions for these four teams, as well as for the national teams of Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador AND Peru.

Argentina will have to close at least 50% of the seats in the stadiums in the next match and pay a fine of 50,000 Swiss francs, which it will invest in an anti-discrimination plan, and another of 20,000. Compliance with the aforementioned plan will also be subject to the application of a fine exceeding 50,000 francs for six months.

FIFA imposed these sanctions for the delay of the match against Ecuador in September and the discriminatory behavior of its fans, as well as the invasion of the pitch against Uruguay and the lack of order inside and/or around the stadium against Brazil in November.

Chile will also have to close the pitch at 50% in their next match due to the discriminatory behavior of their fans and the delay against Colombia in September and against Peru in October; as well as paying a fine of 80,000 Swiss francs to invest in an anti-discrimination plan.

Failure to comply with this plan within six months will result in another fine (50,000 Swiss francs) for Chile, which will have to pay another 5,000 francs for misconduct by its team (5 individual fines) in the match against Uruguay in September.

The Colombian team will play the next match with the stadium partially closed, at least 25% of the seats, and has received a fine of 30,000 Swiss francs, to invest in an anti-discrimination plan, for the delay in the clash against Chile and the discriminatory attitude of the his fans last September, along with a fine of over 500 francs for throwing objects and also the delay in the duel with Uruguay in October.

The Disciplinary Commission imposed another fine of 50,000 Swiss francs on the Colombian team, provided that it complies with the aforementioned plan within a period of six months.

Uruguay will be the other team that will have to close the pitch in the next match (at least 25%) and pay a fine of 30,000 Swiss francs, aimed at an anti-discrimination plan, for delays towards Colombia and Brazil and discriminatory behavior of its players fans against Argentina. Failure to comply with the plan within six months would result in another fine of 50,000 francs more.

The other FIFA sanctions hit Brazil, with fines of 5,000 Swiss francs for delay and pitch invasion in the match against Bolivia in September; 15,000 for team misconduct (5 individual sanctions) against Uruguay in October and 50,000 for failing to ensure order in and around the stadium against Argentina in November.

Bolivia was also fined 5,000 Swiss francs for team misconduct (5 individual fines) in the match against Paraguay in October; Ecuador with 5,000 for a pitch invasion against Uruguay in September; Paraguay with 4,000 for throwing objects against Colombia in November and Peru with 7,500 for pitch invasion against Argentina in October and 10.00 for delay against Bolivia in November.

In the players sector, the Disciplinary Commission sanctioned the Chilean Víctor Mémdez and the Paraguayan Robert Rojas with two matches, both sent off in the match between their respective national teams in November; the Bolivian Roberto Carlos Fernández, sent off against Argentina in September, and the Brazilian Joelinton Cássio, also red against the Albiceleste last November.