Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Paredes Calls FIFA’s 10-Match Ban Excessive
Leandro Paredes is an Argentine soccer player.
FIFA suspended him for 10 matches after a fight involving players from Argentina and Spain.
Paredes says the punishment is too harsh.
He also says Spain’s Gavi hit him first during the argument.
Gavi received a one-match suspension.
Paredes and his representatives plan to appeal the ban.
The fight happened after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final.
FIFA also suspended two other Argentina players and one more Spain player.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes criticized FIFA’s 10-match suspension as exaggerated and excessive.
Paredes said Spain’s Gavi received a one-match ban after allegedly punching him in the chest.
Paredes plans to appeal, hoping the sanction can be reduced.
FIFA banned three Argentina players and one Spain player after a post-match scuffle.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- Who
- Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, Spain’s Gavi, and other players from Argentina and Spain.
- What
- FIFA imposed a 10-match ban on Paredes after a post-match scuffle, and Paredes criticized the punishment and plans to appeal.
- When
- The sanctions were announced the week before Paredes spoke after a weekend match for Boca Juniors.
- Where
- The scuffle occurred after the World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York.
- Why
- The bans followed ugly scenes and a confrontation between players after the final whistle.
Paredes’ View
FIFA’s Disciplinary Action
Severity of the suspension
Paredes’ View
Paredes described the 10-match ban as exaggerated and excessive and said it should be reduced.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Action
FIFA imposed the 10-match suspension after the post-match scuffle, though the article does not state FIFA’s detailed reasoning.
Responsibility for the confrontation
Paredes’ View
Paredes said Gavi punched him in the chest and questioned why Gavi received only a one-match ban.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Action
FIFA also sanctioned Gavi, but the article does not provide FIFA’s account of who initiated the confrontation.
- Suspended player
- Leandro Paredes of Argentina
- Paredes’ suspension
- 10 matches
- Gavi’s suspension
- One match
- Final score
- Spain defeated Argentina 1-0
- Tournament
- FIFA World Cup
- Other sanctions
- FIFA also banned two other Argentina players and one Spain player
- Appeal
- Paredes said the sanction would be appealed