Paredes among Argentines banned for WC brawl
Three Argentina players have been banned for their part in a brawl at the end of last month's World Cup final against Spain, but the South American nation has been fined only for displaying a Falkland Islands banner after the semifinal win over England.
The World Cup may be over, but the fallout continues, and it's hitting some of the biggest names in the sport. The bans handed down to three Argentine players, including Paredes, are a significant blow to the team and their fans. The brawl at the end of the World Cup final was a shocking display of sportsmanship, and it's clear that FIFA is taking a hard stance on disciplinary issues.
This isn't the only controversy to come out of the World Cup, of course. The display of the Falkland Islands banner by Argentine fans during the semifinal win over England sparked outrage and was widely reported. While the fine levied against Argentina is relatively minor, it's clear that FIFA is watching closely to ensure that fans and players alike are behaving themselves.
So what's next for these Argentine players and the team as a whole? With the bans in place, they'll have to regroup and refocus on upcoming competitions. The real question is how this will impact their performance on the pitch - will they be able to bounce back from this setback, or will the absence of key players hurt their chances? Fans will be watching closely to see how it all plays out.
Originally reported by espn.com. PlayerNews adds analysis for sports & fitness readers.