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Argentina midfielder faces multiple assault charges following final defeat to Spain, but comments on his international future may prove significant

The 32-year-old has been charged with three counts of assault after Argentina's 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. While FIFA's disciplinary regulations leave him facing a potentially lengthy international ban if found guilty, an unusual loophole in the governing body's rules means the punishment may never ultimately take effect.

Paredes facing the most serious charges after final altercation
FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against several players and officials from both teams following a series of confrontations after the final whistle.

Paredes is facing the most serious allegations, with three separate assault charges brought against the Boca Juniors midfielder .

Television footage appeared to show him first kicking and shoving Spain defender Eric García before grabbing him by the throat during a confrontation. Moments later, he was involved in another incident with midfielder Gavi, where he allegedly grabbed the Spaniard before wrestling him to the ground as tempers continued to flare.

Argentina teammate Thiago Almada was also involved in the altercation with Gavi and has subsequently been charged with unsporting behaviour.


Nahuel Molina has been charged with two assault offences—one completed and one attempted—as well as unsporting behaviour, while Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala faces one assault charge. Spain midfielder Gavi has also been cited for unsporting behaviour.

FIFA is currently reviewing the available evidence before allowing all respondents the opportunity to present their positions before any sanctions are imposed.

Why Paredes could escape serving any suspension
Under Article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, violent conduct and assault offences carry a minimum suspension of three matches.

If FIFA finds Paredes guilty on all three assault charges, he could theoretically receive a suspension totalling nine international matches, although reports have suggested a five or six-match ban is viewed as the more likely outcome.

However, comments made by Paredes after the World Cup have created a potential avenue through which he may never actually serve the punishment.

The midfielder has openly admitted he is considering retiring from international football following Argentina's defeat in the final.


Should he decide to end his Argentina career before any suspension is served, an international ban would effectively become irrelevant unless FIFA chooses to extend the sanction beyond national team competitions.

FIFA has the power to extend bans worldwide
That possibility is governed by Article 70 of FIFA's Disciplinary Code.

The regulation allows FIFA to extend sanctions beyond international football and apply them across all domestic and international competitions worldwide in particularly serious cases.

The disciplinary code states:

"If the infringement is serious, in particular but not limited to discrimination, manipulation of football matches and competitions, misconduct against match officials, or forgery and falsification, as well as sexual abuse or harassment, the member associations, confederations, and other organising sports bodies shall request that the Disciplinary Committee extend the sanctions they have imposed so as to have worldwide effect (worldwide extension)."

Although the listed offences do not specifically include violent conduct between players, the regulation makes clear the examples are "in particular but not limited to" those categories.


FIFA has previously exercised that authority in exceptional circumstances, most notably in 2014 when Luis Suárez's suspension for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup was extended worldwide, preventing him from participating in any football-related activity for four months.

Such interventions remain relatively rare, however, meaning any decision to impose a worldwide suspension on Paredes would ultimately rest with FIFA's Disciplinary Committee.

What Paredes has said about his Argentina future
Shortly after Argentina's defeat, Paredes thanking his teammates and supporters without addressing the post-match incidents.

"It was an honour to be part of the best Argentine national team in history!!" he wrote.

Upon returning to Boca Juniors, however, the experienced midfielder acknowledged that his international future remains uncertain.

"It's been a magnificent journey," Paredes said. "It will be very difficult to maintain this level and ensure that the group continues to function in this way. Decisions must be made calmly. I don't yet know if I'm fit enough to continue. It's a process that needs to be digested and carefully considered."

The comments have become increasingly significant as FIFA's disciplinary investigation progresses, with any eventual retirement potentially altering how a suspension would be enforced.

Wider disciplinary investigation continues
Paredes is one of several individuals under investigation following the chaotic scenes after the World Cup final.

Alongside the charges against Molina, Almada, Ayala and Gavi, FIFA has also opened proceedings against the Argentine Football Association (AFA).


The federation is facing allegations relating to discriminatory chants and gestures, breaches of match and security regulations, delays to kick-off, inappropriate messages displayed by players and supporters, and the throwing of objects.

If those charges are upheld, the AFA could face substantial financial penalties and, in more serious circumstances, partial or complete stadium closures for future international fixtures.

With FIFA's disciplinary process still ongoing, Paredes' sporting future now hinges on two separate decisions: the sanction imposed by the governing body and whether he chooses to continue representing Argentina after a World Cup campaign that ended in both defeat and controversy.