Leandro Paredes is facing the most serious individual disciplinary case arising from the disturbances after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain. The Boca Juniors midfielder is accused of three potential assault offences, but FIFA has not found him guilty or announced a punishment. His possible international retirement would not automatically cancel any sanction eventually imposed.

Three assault allegations against Paredes

According to FIFA’s official disciplinary update, proceedings have been opened against Paredes for three potential breaches of Article 14.1(i), which covers assault. FIFA’s statement does not identify the alleged victim connected to each count. All respondents have been invited to present their positions before the Disciplinary Committee issues a decision.

According to SPORTbible’s description of the incidents, Paredes grabbed Eric García by the throat before becoming involved in another confrontation with Gavi. The article says Thiago Almada assisted Paredes as the Spanish midfielder was brought to the ground. Those descriptions remain allegations being considered as part of the disciplinary process.

Nahuel Molina faces two assault counts, one concerning a completed act and another an attempted act, rather than a “suspended” assault as stated in the original draft. Argentina assistant Roberto Ayala faces one assault count. Molina, Almada and Spain midfielder Gavi have also been charged with potential unsporting behaviour.

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Nine-match ban is not automatic

According to the September 2025 edition of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, assault can carry a suspension of at least three matches or an appropriate period. SPORTbible multiplied that minimum by Paredes’ three counts to suggest a possible nine-match ban. FIFA has not said the counts will automatically produce three consecutive minimum punishments.

The Disciplinary Committee must first decide which allegations have been proven and how the offences should be assessed together. It can then consider the circumstances, seriousness and any aggravating or mitigating factors. Nine matches may be one possible outcome, but it is not a confirmed minimum at this stage.

Retirement would not erase the case

The suggestion that international retirement would “void” the punishment is too categorical. Paredes would have no Argentina fixtures in which to serve a national-team suspension while retired, but the disciplinary decision would not simply disappear. If he later returned to international football, any unserved sanction could still become relevant, depending on the wording of FIFA’s ruling.

Article 70, cited in reports about a possible worldwide extension, does not create a retirement exemption. It concerns the extension of serious sanctions and expressly says its list of examples is not exhaustive. The fact that assault is not among the examples does not guarantee that Boca Juniors would be protected from a broader punishment.

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Luis Suárez’s 2014 case also offers only limited guidance. FIFA gave the Uruguayan a nine-match international suspension and a separate four-month ban from all football-related activity after he bit Giorgio Chiellini. No comparable worldwide sanction has yet been imposed on Paredes.

Paredes considers his Argentina future

Paredes has raised doubts about continuing with the national team, but he has not formally announced his retirement. As quoted by an EFE report published by Infobae, he said: “I don’t know if I’m ready to continue. It’s a process that needs to be digested and thought through.” He added that any decision should be made calmly and after discussions with Argentina’s coaching staff.

His comments followed a social-media message in which he said he was proud to have been part of “the best Argentina national team in history”. Neither statement confirmed that his international career was over. Retirement speculation therefore remains separate from FIFA’s disciplinary process.

FIFA has yet to decide the punishment

Paredes and the other respondents must now submit their defences before FIFA issues its ruling. The decision will establish whether the allegations are proven, the length of any suspension and the competitions in which it must be served. Until then, both an automatic nine-match ban and a retirement “loophole” remain speculation rather than confirmed disciplinary outcomes.

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