New footage from the World Cup final shows referee Slavko Vincic pleading with Lionel Messi to control his teammate Leandro Paredes, who was later charged by FIFA for post-match assaults. The Argentina captain was asked to keep Paredes on the field before the violent scenes at full-time.
Paredes' on-field antics
Paredes was spotted kicking and punching as he shoved Spain's Eric Garcia to the ground and grappled with Barcelona's Gavi. The 32-year-old only entered the match at half-time but was fortunate to stay on the pitch. He picked up a yellow card after just six minutes for a nasty foul and spent the rest of the match on a tightrope as Enzo Fernandez was sent off.
Referee's plea to Messi
Footage from the referee cam shows Vincic warning Messi that Paredes was riding his luck. "Messi, control Paredes," he said. "I don't want to...he has yellow. Control please. Always, always."
FIFA charges and aftermath
FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Paredes for his post-match actions, alleging three counts of assault. Argentina's Nahuel Molina faces two counts of assault and coach Roberto Ayala one count. Molina appeared to strike Rodri while Ayala hit Dani Olmo.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente expressed disbelief. "At the time, I didn't realise it. I was celebrating, hugging team-mates," he told Spanish television. "But in any case, it is intolerable, unacceptable, it cannot be allowed. Players of that stature, whom I praised in the days leading up to the match and continue to praise, who are great players with a tremendous coach, surely they must have felt just as bad as we did seeing those reactions. I want to highlight our behaviour in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation. Our players always kept their composure and behaved like true professionals."
Paredes also faced more drama on his return to club football, kicking the ball at an opponent for Boca Juniors after just 14 minutes on the field.
