Spain midfielder and World Cup winner Gavi has claimed Leandro Paredes shouldn’t be sanctioned after the unsavoury scenes following the final. Spain were deserved winners of the World Cup after their 1-0 win over Argentina.
Spain dominated the game with possession and managed to break the deadlock in extra-time thanks to a Ferran Torres goal. Argentina were left devastated after the defeat and unfortunately there were some poor scenes after the game.
World Cup winner Gavi (pictured right) has claimed Leandro Paredes shouldn’t be sanctioned after the unsavoury scenes following the final. (Images: Getty Images)
Argentina’s Paredes was involved in a clash with Gavi and Eric Garcia after the final whistle with players running in to break up the scuffle. Argentina has copped plenty of backlash since the final with many calling for Paredes to face a ban for the ugly scenes.
And FIFA are looking into the post-match drama and have the ability to hand out sanctions. However, Spanish midfielder Gavi has called for the incident to finished.
Speaking in his homecoming after winning the World Cup, Gavi claimed sometimes emotions spill over in football and Paredes shouldn’t face a ban. “I don’t think they should be sanctioned,” Gavi said according to Spanish reports. “I understand it’s not a good image for children…but that’s part of football.”
Nahuel Molina, Paredes, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to be involved in scuffles and altercations with Spanish players after the game. It was initially reported that Paredes had been sent off by referee Slavko Vincic after full-time for an altercation with Garcia. But the BBC has since reported that Parades’ red card has been removed from the record and no disciplinary action was taken.
Argentina scenes slammed after World Cup final
The scenes that unfolded after full-time left football fans around the world in shock. England and Newcastle great Alan Shearer was scathing of the Argentina players involved in the drama.
“There is no place or space for that. We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible,” he said on the BBC.
Leandro Paredes clashes with midfielder Gavi after the 2026 World Cup football final. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)