World Cup 2026: Gavi does not think Paredes should be suspended

Spain midfielder Gavi does not believe Argentina's Leandro Paredes should be suspended for his part in the confrontation following the World Cup final.

Argentina players Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada plus assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to be involved in the fracas on the pitch as Spain celebrated their 1-0 win.

Paredes seemed to push Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat and unused substitute Gavi tried to intervene but was forced to the ground by Almada.

Paredes pushed the Barcelona midfielder to the turf by putting his hand in the Spaniard's face.

Fifa has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess what happened and any player or coach involved could receive a suspension while the Argentine Football Association could also be fined.

"I don't think [Paredes] should be suspended," Gavi told El Partidazo de COPE.

"I understand it's not a good image for children, but I think there's also that side to football, which is a bit more physical, more aggressive.

"The most logical thing would have been to send him off during the match, and that's it. In the end, I think it's all football, and it has to be that way."

It was incorrectly reported on Fifa's commentator information system that Paredes had been sent off by referee Slavko Vincic for pushing Garcia by the throat.

Paredes' red card was deleted on the system shortly afterwards and Fifa has confirmed to BBC Sport that no disciplinary action was taken at the time.

Argentina's Enzo Fernandez was dismissed during the final, receiving a second yellow card in second-half added time.