Gavi: No Suspension for Paredes after World Cup Final Brawl

Spain midfielder Gavi said he does not believe Argentina's Leandro Paredes should be suspended for his role in the post‑match altercation that followed the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, in which Spain beat Argentina 1‑0 at New York's MetLife Stadium. Gavi told Spanish radio COPE that while the incident presents a poor image for children, physical aggression is part of football and the appropriate response would have been a red card during the game.

FIFA opened a disciplinary and ethics investigation into the brawl, which also involved Argentine players Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala, and saw Paredes briefly appear to grab Spain defender Eric García by the throat. Initial reports mistakenly listed a red card for Paredes, but the official match record was later corrected and no sanction was applied at the time.

The incident sparked debate in Argentina and abroad, with some media noting it did not dominate Argentine headlines, while others called for disciplinary action. Gavi's remarks have been repeated across multiple outlets, emphasizing a preferred focus on the sport rather than retrospective punishments.