FIFA confirms red card never existed

Leandro Paredes did not receive a red card after Argentina’s 1–0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.

FIFA’s live commentary system initially recorded a second yellow card and subsequent dismissal for the midfielder following the final whistle. That information quickly spread across international media.

According to L’Équipe, FIFA later confirmed to the BBC that the entry was a data error. The official match report contains no red card for Paredes.

The correction does not clear him of possible misconduct. Footage appears to show Paredes grabbing Eric García high around the neck before pulling Gavi to the ground during the confrontations that followed Spain’s victory.

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FIFA has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate the incidents and determine whether Paredes or other members of the Argentine delegation should be punished.

Argentine media largely avoid the incident

While the scenes have received extensive coverage elsewhere, they have not become a dominant story in Argentina.

According to Anaïs Dubois of L’Équipe, almost no major Argentine outlet placed Paredes’ actions at the centre of its post-final coverage.

Instead, much of the attention was given to his message on social media, in which he expressed his pride at representing Argentina and described the squad as the greatest in the country’s history.

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Paredes did not refer to the confrontations or offer an apology in the post. He has since returned to training with Boca Juniors.

The response should not be described as complete silence. Argentine outlets have reported the events, and some supporters have criticised Paredes. However, the story has not produced the same level of anger seen in parts of the European media.

Boca supporters defend their captain

Paredes’ standing at Boca Juniors helps explain why criticism has remained limited.

The midfielder returned to his boyhood club in July 2025 after more than a decade in Europe. He was welcomed back by a packed La Bombonera and has since become the team’s captain.

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Many Boca supporters believe his arrival transformed the side and restored some of the aggression and leadership it had been missing.

“He is sometimes excessive, but he transmits his fighting spirit to players who are down. Paredes plays the way Argentinians live: with desire, commitment and passion,” Boca supporter Gabriel Sanchez told L’Équipe.

That perception turns behaviour condemned elsewhere into evidence of loyalty and commitment for some supporters. Sanchez argued that Paredes became involved because he was defending a teammate during the confrontation.

Not every Boca fan shares that view. L’Équipe also spoke to supporters who described his behaviour as embarrassing and attributed it to the frustration of losing the final.

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Reported injury strengthens his fighter image

Paredes’ reputation for sacrifice was further strengthened by reports about an injury he carried through the latter stages of the tournament.

According to Infobae, Argentine journalist Martín Arévalo reported that Paredes played the final three matches with a cracked rib and occasionally experienced difficulty breathing.

The injury has not been officially confirmed by Boca Juniors or the Argentine Football Association. It should therefore remain attributed to the original report.

If accurate, it adds context to the admiration surrounding Paredes’ performances against Switzerland, England and Spain. It does not, however, excuse any offence that may have taken place after the final.

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Home support will not decide FIFA case

The absence of major condemnation in Argentina will have no bearing on FIFA’s disciplinary process.

Investigators will assess the available footage, match reports and witness accounts before deciding whether charges are justified. Paredes could still receive a suspension even though the red card recorded by FIFA’s commentary system was incorrect.

For many Boca supporters, he remains a captain who embodies the club’s identity. Outside Argentina, the same intensity is being viewed far less generously.

That contrast now defines the story: a false dismissal, a real disciplinary investigation and a player whose actions are interpreted very differently depending on where they are being watched.