Leandro Paredes attended Argentina's training session on Tuesday, despite still serving a 10-match suspension imposed by FIFA for three counts of assault following this summer's World Cup final. The former Paris Saint-Germain player grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat before pushing him over and proceeding to wrestle Gavi to the ground, as well as appearing to strike the latter in his face.
Ban and fines
Paredes, 32, received the most significant suspension, a 10-match ban, three more than his team-mate Nahuel Molina, both of whom were fined £68,000. Gavi and Thiago Almada also received one-game bans and £23,000 fines, with Argentina's assistant coach, Roberto Ayala, fined the same amount but serving a three-match suspension after appearing to punch Dani Olmo after the final.
Scaloni's comments
National team head coach Lionel Scaloni spoke about Paredes during his pre-training camp press conference, claiming: "I haven't spoken with Paredes. He belongs to the national team because of what he's given us, because he's a legend, and we love him. I haven't spoken to him or anyone else since. The doors are open. Unfortunately, we won't be able to count on him for these matches. If he's at this level when he's available, he'll be considered."
They have now both been photographed together at the Lionel Messi Training Complex in Ezeiza. Paredes is wearing the national team's jacket and was also spotted alongside Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia and the latter's son, Matias.
Paredes' presence
However, it should be no surprise that Paredes turned up. The midfielder spoke about attending after playing for Boca Juniors in their Copa Argentina quarter-final win over Racing Club on Sunday. He said: "I haven't spoken to the coach yet, but I'll probably stop by the training ground to say hello and see how everything is going. Obviously, I feel like I'm part of the group there; if I weren't suspended, I'd be there."
Upcoming matches
The first match of Paredes' suspension is their friendly against Bolivia tonight, and his absence will continue into their other upcoming matches against Benin and Burkina Faso. They do not yet have any more confirmed fixtures beyond those two games, but would presumably play multiple matches during the November and March international breaks this season.
There is then a chance for two more in June, meaning he could return during next year's three-week-long international break in September and October. If they had scheduled their permitted four matches during this international window instead of just three, the last match of his ban would be the second of their matches next summer, meaning he could play a full part from September 2027 onwards.
