Spain midfielder Gavi has expressed his view that Argentina's Leandro Paredes should not be suspended following the confrontation that marred the immediate aftermath of the World Cup final. The incident, which occurred after Spain secured a 1-0 victory, saw several Argentine players and an assistant coach involved in a heated exchange with Spanish counterparts on the pitch.
Paredes, along with teammates Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala, appeared to be central to the fracas. Eyewitness accounts suggest Paredes pushed Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat, and Gavi, an unused substitute, was also pushed to the ground by Almada when attempting to intervene. Paredes was seen pushing the Barcelona midfielder's face as he fell.
FIFA has initiated a formal investigation into the events, appointing a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to review what transpired. This could lead to suspensions for any players or coaches found to be involved, and the Argentine Football Association may also face a fine. However, Gavi, speaking to El Partidazo de COPE, external, defended Paredes, stating, "I don't think [Paredes] should be suspended." He added, "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. 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."
Meanwhile, Argentina's assistant coach Roberto Ayala has taken responsibility for his actions during the scuffle. Ayala, who reportedly struck Spain's Dani Olmo, described his action as "more of a push than a punch" and stated he would apologise to the Barcelona midfielder. Speaking to Capital Radio in Valencia, Ayala explained, "When the match ended, I saw a scuffle in the middle of the pitch and I went over to stop it from escalating, because that's not who we are. I take responsibility for what I did. My intention was simply to go and separate them, nothing more."
Confusion initially arose when FIFA's commentator information system incorrectly reported that Paredes had been sent off by referee Slavko Vincic for pushing Garcia. This entry was swiftly removed, and FIFA has since confirmed that no disciplinary action was taken against Paredes during the match itself. The only dismissal during the final was Argentina's Enzo Fernandez, who received a second yellow card in second-half added time.