Leandro Paredes has described the 10-match suspension imposed on him by FIFA for the incidents following the 2026 World Cup Final between Argentina and Spain as “excessive,” while questioning the difference between his punishment and Gavi's one-match ban.
Paredes questions FIFA over 10-game ban: “Gavi only got one”
Leandro Paredes has described the 10-match suspension imposed on him by FIFA for the incidents following the 2026 World Cup Final between Argentina and Spain as “excessive,” while questioning the difference between his punishment and Gavi's one-match ban.
The Argentina international spoke after Boca Juniors' 1-0 victory over Lanús in the seventh round of the Argentine Torneo Clausura and made his position on FIFA's decision clear.
“I think it's excessive. What's strange is that Gavi got one [game], and he's the one who punches me in the chest,” Paredes told reporters.
In addition to his 10-match suspension, the midfielder was fined $90,000.
Paredes hopes to reduce his FIFA suspension
The midfielder is now waiting for the appeal being prepared by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and believes his punishment could be reduced.
“Now we have to appeal, see if we can reduce the suspension, and that's it,” he said.
Paredes reiterated his position: “I think it can be reduced because it's excessive.”
The AFA is waiting for the full reasoning behind the decisions before filing the corresponding appeals with FIFA's Appeal Committee.
Should the appeal fail, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) could become the final avenue.
What happened after the Argentina vs Spain World Cup Final?
The incidents occurred after Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup Final, decided by a Ferran goal in extra time.
Several confrontations broke out after the final whistle.
Paredes and Thiago Almada were involved in unsporting conduct toward Eric García, and when Gavi stepped in to defend his teammate, he was brought down by the Argentine players.
There were other incidents as well. Nahuel Molina punched Rodri Hernández in the torso as he ran celebrating the title, while Roberto Ayala, a member of Lionel Scaloni's coaching staff, struck Dani Olmo.
How many games were Paredes, Molina, Almada, Ayala and Gavi suspended for?
Leandro Paredes received the heaviest punishment with a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine.
Argentina defender Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-match suspension and a $90,000 fine, while Thiago Almada received a one-match ban.
Roberto Ayala was suspended for three matches.
For Spain, Gavi was suspended for one match and fined $30,000.
That difference between Paredes' 10-match punishment and Gavi's one-game suspension is precisely one of the aspects the midfielder has now publicly questioned.
Argentina players can begin serving FIFA bans in friendlies
There was another development regarding the Argentine players' suspensions this week.
FIFA accepted an AFA request allowing the sanctioned players to begin serving their punishments during senior international friendlies, rather than only in competitive matches.
The change will allow the Argentine players to begin reducing their suspensions during upcoming international fixtures, potentially limiting the impact of the punishments on competitive matches.
Argentina has two international games planned before the end of 2026, one in September or October and another in November.
