Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has been cleared of any punishment or suspension after FIFA confirmed that no valid red card was officially recorded against him.
The decision follows confusion surrounding a red card incident involving the experienced midfielder, with questions raised over whether the dismissal had been properly registered in the official match records.
According to reports, FIFA has reviewed the situation and confirmed that the card was never validly recorded, meaning Paredes will not face any disciplinary action now until FIFA Disciplinary body is done with their full investigations.
Following Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain on Sunday, members of the Argentina team and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spain players as they began to celebrate their World Cup success.
Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to be involved.
During the fracas, it was incorrectly reported on Fifa’s commentator information system that Paredes had been sent off by referee Slavko Vincic for pushing Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat.
The incident created uncertainty among fans and officials, as a red card in a major international competition would normally result in an automatic review by FIFA’s disciplinary authorities and could lead to a ban for future matches.
However, FIFA’s confirmation has now brought an end to the confusion, with Paredes officially available for selection.
The 31-year-old midfielder remains an important figure for Argentina, having played a key role in the national team’s recent success. He was part of the squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2021 Copa América, providing experience, defensive discipline and technical quality in midfield.
Paredes began his career in Argentina before moving to Europe, where he played for clubs including AS Roma, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. He returned to Italian football with AS Roma, continuing to contribute at the highest level.
