Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has formally challenged the 10-match ban he received for his role in the brawl following the 2026 World Cup final. The player argues that the sanction is disproportionate when compared to the one-match suspension handed to Spain’s Gavi, whom Paredes accuses of striking him first during the fracas.
Final Whistle Chaos
The disorder erupted immediately after Spain secured victory over Argentina in the final on July 19 at East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match had concluded with Spain lifting the trophy, but tensions boiled over on the pitch as players from both sides became embroiled in a physical altercation.
Reports from the scene indicate that Paredes grabbed defender Eric García by the throat before wrestling with Gavi and appearing to strike the Barcelona player in the face. The confrontation quickly escalated into a wider brawl involving multiple players from both national teams.
FIFA subsequently sanctioned four Argentina players for their roles in the melee. While the governing body issued varying punishments to the South American squad members, Gavi received just a single-match ban for his participation in the scuffle. The contrast has prompted Paredes to question the consistency of the disciplinary measures.
Appeal Against Disproportionate Ban
Paredes contends that Gavi punched him in the chest during the confrontation, yet received a far lighter punishment. The Argentine claims this disparity demonstrates that his own 10-match suspension is excessive and does not reflect the sequence of events accurately. He maintains that the Barcelona midfielder was the aggressor, making the tenfold difference in sanctions difficult to justify.
According to the midfielder, the punishments simply do not add up. He considers his own sanction exaggerated by comparison to the Spain player’s minimal ban, despite his allegation that Gavi initiated the physical contact.
Following the incident, Gavi acknowledged that the scenes did not reflect well on the sport, though he added that he did not believe Paredes and his teammates should have been suspended.
The lengthy suspension threatens to sideline Paredes for a significant portion of Argentina’s upcoming international schedule. The midfielder is now seeking a reduction in his ban through the official appeals process. Whether FIFA will adjust the length of the suspension remains unresolved, leaving his immediate international future uncertain.