Leandro Paredes Handed 10-Match Ban Over World Cup Final Incident

Paredes Faces Lengthy Suspension After World Cup Final Fallout

Leandro Paredes, the Argentina and Juventus midfielder, has received a 10-match suspension linked to his behavior during the incidents that broke out around the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. The ban, reported by Fijivillage, underlines how seriously football authorities have treated the flashpoints that marred the closing stages of one of the most watched matches in the tournament's history.

Argentina defeated France in that final in Qatar, but the game - and its aftermath - was overshadowed by confrontations involving players from both sides. Paredes was among those identified as having played a significant role in those clashes, and disciplinary proceedings have now concluded with a heavy penalty.

A 10-match ban is a serious punishment for any outfield player at club or international level. It means Paredes will be absent from a substantial run of fixtures, affecting both his club form and his availability for Argentina's future international schedule.

What Led to the Ban

Tensions during the 2022 World Cup final were visible on the pitch and on the sidelines. After the final whistle and during some of the game's heated moments, players from both squads were involved in confrontations. Paredes was specifically flagged by officials for his conduct during these incidents.

Football's governing bodies have a process for reviewing behavior that goes beyond what referees can address during a match. Post-match disciplinary panels can examine footage and witness accounts before issuing sanctions. In this case, the review process resulted in a 10-match ban for Paredes, a punishment that reflects the severity with which his actions were judged.

The length of the ban sets it apart from routine yellow or red card suspensions, which typically carry one to three-match penalties. Ten matches places this sanction firmly in the category reserved for serious misconduct.

Impact on Paredes and Argentina

For Paredes, the timing of the ban carries real consequences. The 30-year-old has been a regular presence in Argentina's midfield under coach Lionel Scaloni, and his absence over an extended run of matches will require the coaching staff to plan around him.

At club level, Juventus will also need to manage without one of their midfield options for the duration of the suspension, depending on when and how the ban is applied across competitions.

Argentina enter this period as reigning world champions, making squad depth and player availability a constant point of focus. Losing Paredes for 10 matches is not a crisis for a squad of their quality, but it is a disruption the team could do without.

The case also serves as a reminder that behavior during high-profile matches carries consequences that outlast the final whistle. Disciplinary bodies have shown a willingness to act on incidents from major tournaments even after significant time has passed, and this ban reinforces that approach.

Paredes has not been the only player to face scrutiny for the events surrounding the 2022 final. The confrontations drew widespread attention at the time, and football authorities have moved methodically through the cases connected to those incidents.