FIFA has confirmed that Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes will face no disciplinary action following an incident during the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, in which he appeared to grab Spain's Gavi by the throat. The red card initially reported by referee Slavko Vinčić was removed from the official match record shortly after the game, and the governing body has now stated that no further punishment will be imposed.
Incident and Official Confirmation
The incident occurred during the high-stakes final at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, where footage showed Paredes making contact with Gavi's throat area. Vinčić, the Slovenian referee, was initially recorded as having issued a red card for the challenge. However, the dismissal was later stricken from the official record, leading to confusion among fans and pundits.
BBC Sport's Dale Johnson reported that FIFA directly communicated the decision to him, clarifying that the original red card report did not stand. The removal of the sanction means the incident is treated as though no sending-off occurred, effectively closing the matter at the match level without any formal consequence for Paredes.
Fan Reactions and Criticism
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from fans on social media, who accused FIFA of undermining the integrity of the game. User @tobeG10 wrote: "FIFA continues to be a disgrace, paredes literally put hands on another player." Another user, @TomJebb8, commented: "Referee bottled it you mean. Ref had a good game however McAllister should of been booked, Fernandez rightly to be sent off and Parades needs a 10 match ban for punching opposition player. The Argentine member of staff who punched a Spanish player needs a lifetime ban."
User @Mhlengi_7 added: "FIFA undermines values and integrity of the game." The governing body did not elaborate on the grounds for removing the sanction, and it remains unclear whether any internal review of the officiating decision will follow.
Context of the Match
The World Cup final saw Spain defeat Argentina 1-0, dethroning the reigning champions. After the match, an emotional Lionel Messi admitted that Spain were the better side, stating that his team had given everything on the pitch despite the result. The Paredes incident has become a focal point of post-match discussions, overshadowing some of the on-field action.
FIFA's confirmation to BBC Sport that no disciplinary action was taken effectively closes the matter, but the controversy highlights ongoing debates about officiating consistency and accountability in high-stakes matches.
