The Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes considered Fifa's decision to suspend him for ten games and apply a fine of $90,000, approximately R$470,000, for the incidents after the 2026 World Cup final 'excessive'. Argentina was defeated by Spain 1-0 on July 19, at MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey.
On August 21, the governing body of football punished several players from the Argentine national team and the Argentine Football Federation for the general brawl after the final, but also for displaying a Falkland Islands flag in the semi-final against England.
In addition to Paredes, who received the highest penalty, defender Nahuel Molina was punished with seven games of suspension, midfielder Thiago Almada with one game, and Roberto Ayala, a member of Lionel Scaloni's coaching staff, with three games.
Paredes commented that the punishment seems excessive and highlighted that Spaniard Gavi received only one game of suspension, being that, according to him, Gavi was the one who punched him in the chest during the incident.
