FIFA has clarified that Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was not sent off following the physical altercation at the conclusion of Sunday’s World Cup final, confirming to BBC Sport that an initial red card report was removed from the official match record. While referee Slavko Vinčić was initially believed to have issued Paredes a red card for grabbing Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat, FIFA confirmed no disciplinary action was taken on the pitch, leaving its disciplinary committee to await official match reports before determining any retroactive sanctions.
The confirmation comes as details emerge regarding the sequence of events that triggered the wild pitchside brawl following Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory. The melee was ignited when Argentina defender Nahuel Molina appeared to punch Spanish midfielder Rodri in the arm or stomach as he ran past him. After Rodri confronted Molina, Garcia stepped in to back up his teammate, prompting Paredes to intervene and jab Garcia in the throat. Unused substitute Gavi was subsequently forced to the ground by Thiago Almada before being shoved in the face by Paredes, while Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala was seen holding Garcia around the neck and striking midfielder Dani Olmo.
Despite the chaotic post-match scenes, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni attempted to restore order on the pitch and downplayed the hostility in his post-match press conference. Scaloni defended his squad’s conduct and emphasized sportsmanship, telling reporters: “We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat. Today, we are showing that we know how to lose.”
