Gavi Opposes Paredes Ban As FIFA Investigates World Cup Final Fracas

Spain midfielder Gavi has insisted that Argentina’s Leandro Paredes should not face a retrospective suspension despite FIFA opening disciplinary proceedings over the post-match altercation that marred the FIFA World Cup final.

FIFA is investigating several Argentina players and a member of the coaching staff following the heated confrontation after Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the final.

Television footage showed Paredes grabbing Spain defender Eric García by the throat before later pushing Gavi to the ground as tensions flared after the final whistle.

Argentina’s Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala were also seen in the melee and are among those under scrutiny.

FIFA’s disciplinary and ethics officials will assess the incident and could impose sanctions ranging from player suspensions to fines for the Argentine Football Association.

Despite his involvement, Paredes escaped punishment during the match. Although FIFA’s internal system briefly listed him as having been sent off, the entry was later corrected after it emerged to be an administrative error.

Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández was the only player dismissed during the match, receiving a second yellow card in stoppage time.

Speaking to Spanish radio station COPE, Gavi acknowledged that the scenes after the final whistle sent the wrong message but argued that any punishment should have been dealt with during the game rather than retrospectively.

“It wasn’t a good image for children, but these things are part of football’s physical and aggressive side,” Gavi said.

“The most logical thing would have been for him to be sent off during the match, and that should have been the end of it.”

FIFA has yet to announce when its disciplinary panel will conclude its investigation or whether formal sanctions will be imposed.