Leandro Paredes has hit back at FIFA after being handed a 10-match international ban for his part in the World Cup final brawl.
The Argentine midfielder has also claimed the governing body treated Spain with favouritism. He is not accepting the punishment quietly.
Paredes was fined $90,000 on top of the suspension. Nahuel Molina got seven games and the same fine, while Thiago Almada and Spain's Gavi both received one-match bans.
Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images
Speaking after the sanctions were announced, Paredes said:
'Yes, we can see the favoritism given to the Spanish players by the officials and FIFA. I get 10 games ban and $90,000 after I defended myself. It's obvious they didn't care to know what the guy said to me but are interested in how I reacted.'
His frustration goes back to the final, when Spain won 1-0 in extra time at the New York/New Jersey Stadium. After the whistle, Paredes confronted Eric Garcia before getting involved with Gavi as tensions boiled over.
That brief flashpoint did not cost him much in the moment. FIFA's committee, though, viewed his reaction as the most serious of the night and handed him the heaviest punishment of anyone involved.
For Paredes, the disparity is hard to swallow.
'Well, if reverse was the case, everyone will say FIFA is helping Argentina but they are all mute now,' he added. 'Argentina remains the best team in the world with our captain Leo.'
Argentina's problems do not stop with the players. The AFA was fined $321,000 for several disciplinary breaches, including the Falkland Islands banner shown after the semi-final win over England , and was ordered to play its next two home matches at 50% capacity, with one of those restrictions suspended.
The federation has already said it will appeal, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport a possible final stop.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
For now, Paredes faces a long spell out of international football. The ban only applies to fixtures for Argentina, which means one of their most experienced midfielders could miss a significant chunk of the schedule.
FIFA appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to review the ugly scenes after the final. It decided multiple Argentina players and staff crossed the line.
Paredes clearly believes only one side of the story has been told. The appeal gives Argentina a chance to change that, and the midfielder is making sure his version is heard just as loudly as the punishment itself.
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