Gavi noted that football is an emotional game, adding that “everything that happened is part of football.”
By Kehinde Okeowo
Spain midfielder Gavi has appealed to FIFA not to punish Leandro Paredes and other Argentina players who attacked their Spanish counterparts after the World Cup final on Sunday.
He made the plea recently while speaking with journalists about the saga during an interview in his hometown in Spain.
Spain defeated Lionel Messi-led Argentina 1-0 in extra time of the final to lift their second World Cup trophy in New Jersey.
Following the final whistle of the fiery encounter, several players from both teams engaged in a scuffle.
Paredes was later shown a direct red card on the pitch by the referee for grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat and pushing Gavi. He is also currently facing an ongoing disciplinary investigation by FIFA.
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Nahuel Molina also escaped direct punishment from the referee, but he is now under investigation by FIFA following footage that appeared to show him hitting Spain midfielder Rodri during the post-match celebrations.
Apart from this, Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero, who were involved in a tense verbal confrontation with Rodri, were also included in the wider investigation into the squad’s behaviour.
Addressing the development, Gavi urged world football’s governing body not to take further steps beyond those already taken against the Argentine stars.
“I don’t think they should be suspended… I understand that this doesn’t present a good image for the kids, but football has always had a more aggressive and intense side,” Gavi said (via Barca Universal).
He further noted that football is an emotional game, adding that “everything that happened is part of football.”
The Barcelona midfielder added, “For me, it made sense for them to be punished with a red card during the match and for the matter to end there. I see that everything that happened is part of football.”
