A World Cup final that ended in a full-blown scuffle, and it’s one of the players caught up in it calling for leniency. Spain’s Gavi does not believe Argentina’s Leandro Paredes should be suspended for his part in the confrontation that broke out on the pitch moments after the final whistle, with Spain having just won 1-0.
Fracas breaks out as Spain celebrate their win
As Spain’s players celebrated their 1-0 win over Argentina, the scene on the pitch quickly turned chaotic. Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to be involved in the confrontation, according to the BBC.
Paredes seemed to push Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat, at which point unused substitute Gavi tried to intervene, only to be forced to the ground by Almada.
Gavi speaks out in Paredes’ defence
Despite being directly caught up in the incident, Gavi is not calling for a heavy-handed punishment against his opponent. The Barcelona midfielder does not think the former PSG man deserves to be suspended for his part in the heat-of-the-moment scuffle that followed Spain’s triumph.
It’s a notably measured stance given the tension between the two nations, and one that could carry weight as World Cup disciplinary bodies review the incident.
FAQ
Who was involved in the fracas after the World Cup final?
Argentina’s Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala, along with Spain’s Gavi and Eric Garcia, were all involved.
What was the final score?
Spain won the final 1-0 against Argentina.
Could Paredes be suspended?
No suspension has been confirmed yet, but his actions towards Eric Garcia could still be reviewed by disciplinary bodies.
What did Gavi say about the incident?
Gavi said he does not believe Paredes should be suspended for his part in the fracas, according to the BBC.
Why did the fracas break out?
The confrontation broke out right after the final whistle, amid Spain’s celebrations following their 1-0 win.
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