Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes has criticized the 10-match suspension imposed on him following the incidents that took place after the World Cup final against Spain, describing the punishment as excessive and insisting that the confrontation with Gavi was not as one-sided as the disciplinary decision suggested.
The current Boca Juniors player also claimed that Gavi was the one who punched him in the chest during the confrontation, while confirming that the Argentine Football Association is preparing to appeal the sanctions.
FIFA Hands Paredes a Lengthy Suspension
FIFA’s disciplinary committee imposed a 10-match ban on Paredes following his conduct after the final, when tensions escalated between players from both teams after the final whistle.
The incident involving Paredes and Gavi became one of the main flashpoints of the post-match confrontation. Paredes physically confronted the Spanish midfielder, knocking him to the ground during the exchange.
Gavi, who intervened while defending his teammate Eric Garcia after Paredes had also pushed him, received a one-match suspension from the disciplinary committee.
Paredes Calls the Punishment Excessive
In his first public comments about the incident and the resulting punishment, Paredes said the 10-match suspension appeared excessive, while questioning the circumstances surrounding the disciplinary decision.
Speaking in comments reported by Spanish newspaper Marca, Paredes pointed specifically to the punishment handed to Gavi, saying he found it unusual that the Spanish player received only a one-match ban despite, according to Paredes, being the one who punched him in the chest.
The Argentine midfielder added that the incident was now behind him, but maintained that the punishment against him was too severe and could potentially be reduced through the appeal process.
Appeal Now the Next Step
Paredes confirmed that the next step will be to appeal the suspension, with the case now being handled by the relevant specialists.
The player said he would wait to see whether the appeal could result in a reduction of the 10-match ban, which would otherwise keep him out of a significant number of upcoming international fixtures.
For Paredes, the appeal represents an opportunity to challenge the severity of the sanction while presenting his version of the events that unfolded immediately after the World Cup final.
Argentina Prepares Further Legal Action
The Argentine Football Association has also announced that it will appeal the sanctions imposed following the incidents surrounding the final.
If the appeal process does not produce a satisfactory outcome, Argentina could potentially take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), extending the dispute beyond FIFA’s disciplinary procedures.
As Paredes and the Argentine federation await the outcome of the appeal, the aftermath of the World Cup final continues to generate controversy, with the disciplinary decisions adding a new chapter to the confrontation between the Argentine and Spanish players.
