Gavi believes Paredes should not face suspension after World Cup final incident

By Sanjay Menon — 22 July 2026 — 3 min read

Post-Match Confrontation and Gavi’s Stance

Following the World Cup final, a confrontation occurred on the pitch involving several players and staff from Argentina and Spain. Among those involved were Argentina’s Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, and Thiago Almada, alongside assistant coach Roberto Ayala. Spain’s Gavi, an unused substitute, attempted to intervene in the fracas but was pushed to the ground by Almada. Paredes also reportedly pushed Gavi by putting his hand in the Spanish midfielder’s face. Another incident saw Paredes appear to push Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat.

Despite his involvement, Gavi stated that he does not believe Paredes should be suspended. He acknowledged that the incident might not present a positive image for younger audiences but suggested that such physicality is part of football. Gavi indicated that if an offense warranted punishment, it should have been addressed during the match itself, such as a sending-off.

Initially, there were reports that Paredes had received a red card from referee Slavko Vincic for pushing Garcia. However, this dismissal was later removed from FIFA‘s commentator information system, and FIFA confirmed that no disciplinary action was taken at the time of the match. Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez was, however, dismissed during the final after receiving a second yellow card in second-half added time.

FIFA Investigation and Ayala’s Apology

FIFA has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the events that transpired after Spain’s 1-0 victory. This investigation could lead to suspensions for any players or coaches involved, and the Argentine Football Association might also face a fine. The disciplinary committee is reviewing incidents involving several Argentine personnel. These include Nahuel Molina, who reportedly punched Rodri in the chest, Thiago Almada, who struck Gavi, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala, who hit Dani Olmo.

Roberto Ayala, the Argentine assistant coach, addressed his actions during the post-match incident. He admitted that his involvement, which included hitting Dani Olmo, was a mistake. Ayala expressed a desire to meet Olmo in person to offer an apology. He described his action as more of a shove than a punch, attributing it to a reaction to something that was said during a moment of high adrenaline. Ayala emphasized that his initial intention was to separate the players involved in the scuffle, stating that such incidents should not occur.

Ayala also reflected on the match itself, acknowledging Spain’s superiority and their deserving victory in the World Cup. He congratulated Spain on their performance, noting that they played an attractive style of football. Regarding the refereeing, Ayala stated that the referee had his game and did well in officiating the final, despite some calls that he felt were rushed, such as the first yellow card leading to Enzo Fernandez’s dismissal.

The governing body is also looking into other matters from the tournament, including a banner supporting Argentina’s claims regarding the Falkland Islands, which was displayed after their semi-final match against England. FIFA continues to gather reports and footage, indicating that further action could be taken once the disciplinary process is complete.

Source: bbc.com