Spain midfielder Gavi does not believe Argentina‘s Leandro Paredes should be suspended for his actions following the World Cup final.
There were ugly scenes at the end of last Sunday’s showpiece in New York/New Jersey, which Spain won 1-0 after extra time to clinch their second World Cup title.
Several Spain players were accosted by Argentina counterparts, with Leandro Paredes at the centre of the controversy as he grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat before pushing Gavi to the turf.
FIFA is set to open an investigation into Paredes’ conduct. Despite being on the receiving end of his behaviour, Barcelona midfielder Gavi does not wish to see the Boca Juniors player receive a ban.
“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 initially incorrectly reported on FIFA’s commentator information system that referee Slavko Vincic had dismissed Paredes for his actions against Garcia.
However, the red card was deleted thereafter, and it has since been confirmed that no disciplinary action was taken by the match official.
Paredes is poised to play for Boca on Thursday when they face Chilean side O’Higgins in the Copa Sudamericana.
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