Argentina to Appeal Paredes’ 10-Match FIFA Ban Over World Cup Final Clash

Leandro Paredes faces a 10-match FIFA suspension after Argentina’s World Cup final against Spain, with the midfielder and the Argentine Football Association preparing to challenge a punishment they regard as disproportionate. The Boca Juniors player has questioned why Spain’s Gavi received only a one-game ban after the confrontation involving the two players.

Argentina set to contest disciplinary rulings

Paredes spoke after Boca Juniors’ domestic fixture at the weekend and said the scale of his suspension had come as a surprise. The veteran midfielder maintained that Gavi struck him in the chest during the incident and argued that the difference between their respective sanctions was excessive.

“It feels over the top,” Paredes said. “What is strange is that Gavi got one match when he was the player who punched me in the chest. We have to appeal, and the people dealing with it will see whether it can be changed. In my view it is too severe and it should be reduced.”

The AFA intends to contest the decisions affecting both its players and the association. It is waiting for FIFA’s detailed written grounds before filing an appeal to the FIFA Appeals Committee, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport available as a further route if required.

Bans handed down after final confrontation

The disciplinary action followed a series of confrontations during the World Cup final, involving Paredes and several Spain players. Paredes received the longest individual punishment, while Nahuel Molina was also sanctioned for an incident late in the match involving Rodri.

• Paredes has been banned for 10 matches.
• Molina was given a seven-match suspension for an unprovoked attack on Rodri.
• Gavi is suspended for one match, having stepped in after Eric Garcia was shoved by Paredes.
• The AFA was fined €275,000 ($321,000) for multiple breaches of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code during the tournament.

Gavi was the sole Spain player banned. His punishment arose from his involvement in defending Barcelona teammate Garcia, while the differing penalties have prompted concerns within the Argentina camp over the consistency of the disciplinary process.

FIFA permits friendlies to count towards suspensions

Argentina have nevertheless obtained an important concession over how the bans will be served. FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee accepted an AFA request allowing Paredes and Molina to complete their suspensions in upcoming Class A international friendlies rather than only in competitive matches.

That arrangement could reduce the effect on Argentina’s competitive calendar, but it has not ended the AFA’s attempt to have the lengths of the bans lowered or overturned. The association will proceed once FIFA supplies its full explanation of the rulings.

Fine also covers Falklands Islands banner

The association’s financial penalty was linked to several alleged code breaches across the competition. The most high-profile episode came after Argentina’s semi-final win over England, when Lionel Messi, Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso and Lisandro Martinez were among the players who displayed a banner asserting Argentina’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands during the celebrations.

With appeals expected on the player suspensions and the wider disciplinary measures, Argentina’s immediate focus is on securing the formal documentation needed to take the case through FIFA’s appeal system and, potentially, to CAS.