Gavi says Paredes should not face World Cup suspension
Spain midfielder Gavi does not believe Argentina's Leandro Paredes should be suspended after the football FIFA World Cup final fracas. Fifa has opened a disciplinary probe into post-match trouble at MetLife Stadium, where Spain beat Argentina 1-0. Gavi called any ban unnecessary.
Key Takeaways
- Gavi told El Partidazo de COPE he does not think Paredes should be suspended for the post-final confrontation.
- Fifa has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess the MetLife Stadium scenes.
- Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to be involved.
- Spain coach Luis de la Fuente branded Argentina's behaviour "intolerable and unacceptable."
- Any player or coach involved could face suspension, and the Argentine Football Association may be fined.
What happened after the World Cup final whistle?
As Spain celebrated a 1-0 win, members of the Argentina team and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spanish players. According to BBC Sport, Molina appeared to punch Rodri on the arm or stomach, sparking the trouble.
Paredes seemed to jab Spain defender Eric Garcia in the throat. Unused substitute Gavi tried to intervene but was forced to the ground by Almada, before Paredes pushed him by putting a hand in his face. Ayala appeared to hold Garcia around the throat and later looked to strike Dani Olmo.
It was incorrectly reported on Fifa's commentator information system that referee Slavko Vincic had sent Paredes off. That red card was deleted, and Fifa confirmed no disciplinary action was taken at the time. Argentina's Enzo Fernandez had already been dismissed for a second yellow in second-half stoppage time.
Why does Gavi oppose a Paredes suspension?
"I don't think [Paredes] should be suspended," Gavi said. He acknowledged the scenes were "not a good image for children" but argued football also has "that side" that is "a bit more physical, more aggressive."
"The most logical thing would have been to send him off during the match and that's it. In the end, I think it's all football and it has to be that way," he added. The comments land while Fifa's prosecutor weighs possible bans for those involved.
Ayala later said he would apologise to Olmo, describing the contact as "more of a push than a punch." He told Capital Radio in Valencia he went over to stop a scuffle from escalating and took responsibility for what he did.
How have Spain's coach and Fifa responded?
De la Fuente told Spanish broadcaster TVE the conduct was "intolerable and unacceptable" from players of that calibre. He praised Spain for keeping composure "in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation," calling his players "true professionals."
Fifa's disciplinary committee appointed a prosecutor to assess offences beyond potential violent conduct, including breaches of fair play and conduct that could bring football into disrepute. There is no stated timescale for a decision.
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