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Argentina stars slapped with huge bans by FIFA as punishment confirmed for Falklands flag Argentina players displayed a Falkland Islands banner after their World Cup semi-final win over England before ugly scenes followng their defeat to Spain Argentina have been fined €250,000 (£214,000) by FIFA for displaying a Falkland Islands-inspired banner after beating England in the World Cup semi-final. After Lionel Messi inspired a comeback against Three Lions, former Tottenham Hotspur attacker Giovani Lo Celso was among the players to celebrate with a flag which read, 'Las Malvinas Son Argentinas' (The Falklands are Argentine). The 2022 winners would go on to lose in the final after Ferran Torres' extra-time winner. However, the win for Spain sparked ugly scenes with the governing body sanctioning Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada, Roberto Ayala and Gavi, with fines of up to $90,000 for the altercation. FIFA have sanctioned the Argentinian Football Association (AFA), players and staff for actions in the aftermath of the semi-final and showpiece held at the MetLife Stadium in New York. As a result, the AFA have been slapped with a $321,000 fine for multiple breaches including using a sporting event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, discriminatory and racist abuse following chants and gestures by supporters, and order and security at matches. Argentina will also play their next two home matches at a reduced capacity. The three-time World Cup winners will play their forthcoming matches on home soil at 50 percent capacity. Boca Juniors' Paredes has been hit with a substantial fine and suspension after he was involved in an altercation with Eric Garcia and Gavi with kicking and punches spotted. The 32-year-old will now serve a 10-match ban and pay a fine of $90,000, while Molina will serve seven and Almada and Gavi handed one-match suspensions. Molina has been fined $90,000 while Almada and Gavi have been issued $30,000 sanctions. Team official Ayala will serve a three-match ban and pay $30,000 for his actions. They will all serve their bans immediately and be forced to miss out on adding caps at international level. The actions from Argentina in light of their semi-final win sparked anger and prompted the UK government to urge FIFA to investigate the matter. A spokesperson for then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. "Self-determination rests with the islanders and our commitment to the Falklands will never waver."