BUENOS AIRES.- The Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes considered the punishment “exaggerated” FIFA to suspend him for ten games and fine him $90,000 for the incidents after the final of the World Cup North America 2026 against Spainthat Argentina lost 1-0.
On August 21, the highest football authority harshly sanctioned several Albiceleste players and the Argentine federation for the brawl, but also for displaying a flag of the Falkland Islands in the World Cup semi-final against England.
In addition to Paredes, the defender was punished Nahuel Molina, with a seven-game suspension; the midfielder Thiago Almadawith a comparison; and Roberto “Mouse” Ayala, member of the technical staff Lionel Scaloniwith three.
Paredes received the highest penalty for the episode at the end of the final against Spain, played on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium of East Rutherford, nearly New York.
“It seems exaggerated, the strange thing is that Gavi They gave him a (suspension date), which is what gives me the pineapple (blow) in the chest,” Paredes said on Friday night about Pablo Páez Gavira “Gavi”, the Spanish midfielder involved in the brawl.
“Now we have to appeal, see if they can reduce the sanction,” the midfielder added to journalists after the agonizing 1-0 victory of Boca Juniors about Lanus for the local tournament.
The incidents in the game for the North American 2026 crown began with a blow from Molina to the Spanish captain, Rodri. Then Paredes overthrew the Spanish Eric Garcia and Gavi.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced that it will appeal the decision. For now, the AFA achieved that those sanctioned can serve the punishment in friendly matches.
The next international window of FIFA matches will be between September 21 and October 6.
In that period the Albiceleste could play up to three friendlies against rivals to be defined, according to the local press.
Levante stops Betis in its tracks
After starting with two wins in the first two days, the Betis stopped in the third when they lost 5-2 on their visit to the Levant this Saturday, thus missing the opportunity to become the leader.
The Andalusian team, one of the representatives this year of Spain in the Champions League European, remains anchored with 6 points, while Levante adds its first victory of this season and now accumulates 4 points.
Adrian De la Fuente (24′) and the French Enzo Bardeli (45+1′) they overtook Levante twice in the first half and Betis responded by equalizing both times thanks to Marc Bartra (34′) and Rodrigo Riquelme (45+4′), to leave the match tied (2-2) at half-time.
In the second half, Roger Brugué “Brugui” was the protagonist with a double (56′ and 70′) that left the three points in the stadium City of Valenciain a match that closed Jon Ander Olasagasti (90+5′) sealing the hand in the final stoppage time.
With this slip of Betis, it is its neighbor and eternal rival, Sevillethe one who has the opportunity to sleep as the leader this Saturday.
