Leandro Paredes should not be suspended for his role in the post-match brawl at the World Cup final, according to one of the players he grabbed hold of.
Gavi, thrown down twice in the melee at MetLife Stadium, told COPE’s El Partidazo that he does not want the Argentina midfielder banned.
“I don’t think he should be suspended. I understand it’s not a good image for children, but I think there’s also that side to football, which is a bit more physical, more aggressive.”
He also weighed in on the referee’s handling.
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“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.”
Molina, Paredes and Almada in the melee
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, with Ferran Torres scoring the winner.
As the celebrations began, Nahuel Molina caught captain Rodri with an arm across the body. Paredes then appeared to throttle Eric García before turning on Gavi, who was already on the floor.
Thiago Almada also pulled at Gavi’s bib during the confrontation. Enzo Fernández had been sent off during the match itself.
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FIFA appoints a prosecutor
FIFA is not leaving it to the players. The governing body has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor under article 36 of its Disciplinary Code to investigate possible breaches, with Paredes, Molina and Almada named in the review.
The code allows bans of at least three matches for violent conduct, potentially applied globally across competitions and paired with a fine to the Argentine Football Association.
‘You can’t lose your discipline’
Spain captain Rodri, caught in the opening confrontation with Molina, was a good deal firmer when he spoke to Sports Illustrated.
“It was an ugly way for a World Cup final to end. You can lose a final, but you can’t lose your discipline. Emotions run high, but there has to be a limit.”
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Head coach Luis de la Fuente had already called the brawl intolerable and inadmissible in the immediate aftermath.
