Story perspectives

FIFA Erases Paredes Red Card, No Suspension After Brawl

7/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

FIFA deleted the red card issued to Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes and recorded no sanction after the post-final brawl.
Spain midfielder Gavi said Paredes should not be suspended despite the incident.
Video showed Paredes grab Spain defender Eric Garcia’s throat and push Gavi.
The footage also captured Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and Argentina coach Roberto Ayala joining the altercation.
Ayala later apologized, calling his contact with Spain midfielder Dani Olmo a shove, not a punch.

History

Historical Context

On 9 July 2006, Zinedine Zidane was sent off for head-butting Marco Materazzi in the World Cup final, the fourth player ever red-carded in a final and part of a tournament that set a record 28 red cards. His dismissal, occurring as he retired, revived long-standing debates over FIFA’s disciplinary consistency, a controversy echoed after the 2023 Copa America reversal.

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Story summary

FIFA deleted the red card issued to Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes and recorded no sanction after the post-final brawl.
Spain midfielder Gavi said Paredes should not be suspended despite the incident.
Video showed Paredes grab Spain defender Eric Garcia’s throat and push Gavi.
The footage also captured Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and Argentina coach Roberto Ayala joining the altercation.
Ayala later apologized, calling his contact with Spain midfielder Dani Olmo a shove, not a punch.

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