Leandro Paredes was the villain of the World Cup final. He threw punches. He grabbed players by the throat. He shoved Gavi to the ground. Now he’s facing a NINE-MATCH ban. But he might never serve a single game.
The Boca Juniors midfielder has found a SHOCK loophole that could see him walk away from FIFA punishment completely – and it’s left England fans FURIOUS.
The 2026 World Cup final was meant to be a celebration of football. Spain had just beaten Argentina 1-0 after extra time in New Jersey to claim their first World Cup title. The Spanish players were celebrating. The confetti was falling. The trophy was waiting.
Then Leandro Paredes lost his head.
In scenes that shamed the sport, the Argentina midfielder was caught on camera shoving Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat before wrestling Gavi to the ground and appearing to throw punches at Spanish players as they celebrated their victory . Alan Shearer, commentating on the match, didn’t hold back: “Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone’s face. He went for them. There is no place or space for that.” The aftermath was pure chaos – punches thrown, players clashing, and the beautiful game reduced to a brawl.
FIFA have now opened disciplinary proceedings against Paredes for THREE counts of assault under Article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code . Each individual act of assault carries a minimum three-match suspension . Three counts means a potential NINE-MATCH international ban for the 32-year-old midfielder .
But here’s the twist that will leave England fans absolutely furious. Paredes might never serve a single match of that suspension.
The loophole is simple: if Paredes retires from international football, FIFA cannot enforce the ban. Article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code states that players face at least a three-match suspension for assault . But if Paredes is no longer an international player, there’s nothing to suspend.
And Paredes has already hinted that he’s considering exactly that.
Speaking just days after the final, Paredes was asked about his future with the Argentina national team. His response was telling: “I don’t know. It’s a process: you have to digest it, think it through, avoid making rushed decisions, and it’s certainly something that needs to be discussed” . Just four days after the final, he made a surprising statement regarding his international future, leaving the door open for retirement . Paredes has admitted he is considering ending his time with the Argentina national team . If he walks away, the nine-match ban becomes meaningless.
But there’s another layer to this scandal that makes it even more infuriating for England fans.
FIFA could invoke Article 70 of their disciplinary code to extend the sanction worldwide – as they did when Luis Suarez was banned from all football-related activities for four months after biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup . However, that type of intervention is reserved for the sport’s most severe disciplinary offences. There is a reasonable chance that FIFA wouldn’t invoke Article 70 in this instance . The Suarez precedent involved a bite – one of the most shocking acts in World Cup history. Paredes’ actions, while disgraceful, may not cross that threshold.
The Argentina star was one of several players involved in the unsavoury altercations. Nahuel Molina faces TWO counts of assault . Assistant coach Roberto Ayala faces one count . Thiago Almada also had disciplinary action files opened by FIFA . But Paredes is the main target. He was the ringleader. He was the one who grabbed Garcia by the throat, shoved Gavi to the ground, and appeared to kick a boot toward the Barcelona midfielder . He was the one Shearer called a disgrace.
But Paredes is reportedly ready to simply WALK AWAY.
Retiring from international football would immediately sidestep any ban. FIFA would have no authority to enforce an international suspension on a player who is no longer part of the international game . The loophole is that simple. And Paredes has already cast doubt on his future with Argentina, saying losing the World Cup final will stay with the team for a long time, and that he needs to digest the defeat and avoid making rushed decisions . He is carefully considering his options. Those options include walking away from Argentina forever.
What makes this even more frustrating is the reaction from the victim himself.
In a bizarre twist, Gavi has actually come out in defence of Paredes. The Spain midfielder told Spanish radio station Cadena Copa that he does not want Paredes to be suspended for his actions . Gavi does not believe the Argentina star should face punishment for the confrontation that followed the final . That’s sportsmanship beyond belief. But it won’t stop England fans from seething at the prospect of Paredes escaping justice.
Alan Shearer’s words ring loud: “We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible.” The former England striker was spot on. Argentina have a history of losing with dignity. This was not that.
Paredes’ actions were a disgrace. He threw punches. He grabbed throats. He shoved players to the ground. He brought shame to his country and his sport. Now he could escape with nothing more than a warning.
The fight was caught on camera. The evidence is overwhelming. The charges are clear. But the punishment might never come.
If Paredes retires from international football, he walks away from a potential nine-match ban. He walks away from justice. He walks away from accountability. And England fans will be left asking: what’s the point of FIFA’s disciplinary system if players can simply retire to avoid punishment?
The World Cup final was marred by violence. The aftermath has been marred by a loophole that could let the main perpetrator escape. And the football world is watching to see if FIFA will do the right thing.
Will FIFA invoke Article 70? Will they follow the Suarez precedent and extend the ban worldwide? Or will they let Paredes walk away?
The decision will define FIFA’s credibility. The decision will define whether violence has consequences. The decision will define whether Paredes faces justice or escapes scot-free.
