Gavi says Paredes should not be suspended for World Cup final fracas

Spain midfielder Gavi has said he does not believe Argentina's Leandro Paredes should be suspended for his involvement in the confrontation that followed the World Cup final. The incident occurred after Spain's 1-0 victory, with Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appearing to be involved in the fracas on the pitch.

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

FIFA investigation

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

Speaking to El Partidazo de COPE, Gavi said: "I don't think [Paredes] should be suspended. 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."

Ayala's apology

Assistant coach Roberto Ayala said he would apologise to Spain's Dani Olmo after he appeared to strike the Barcelona midfielder in the face. Ayala described the contact as "more of a push than a punch."

"When the match ended, I saw a scuffle in the middle of the pitch and I went over to stop it from escalating, because that's not who we are," Ayala told Capital Radio in Valencia. "I take responsibility for what I did. My intention was simply to go and separate them, nothing more."

Red card error

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.