Leandro Paredes was not sent off after being involved in a brawl following Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, contrary to initial reports, as Fifa opens an investigation into the post-match scenes.

Chaos ensued after the full-time whistle in New Jersey on Sunday as the Spain substitutes ran onto the pitch to celebrate victory.

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After Argentina defender Nahuel Molina appeared to throw a punch into the stomach of Spain captain Rodri, things escalated when midfielder Paredes got involved in his own violent clash, grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat having ran over and shoved him to the ground.

Paredes then wrestled Spain’s Gavi to the turf and pushed into his face while holding him by his substitute bib.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had to sprint across to intervene in an effort to calm his losing players down.

It was widely reported by TV broadcasters showing the final, including ITV and BBC, that Paredes had seen red for his actions.

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However, Fifa sources have told The Independent that this is not the case, with no evidence that such a disciplinary measure was made by referee Slavko Vincic.

This comes as Fifa confirmed it was opening an investigation into the full-time melee, with a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor appointed.

“Following an assessment of the relevant match reports for the Fifa World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, and in line with article 36 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (FDC), the Fifa Disciplinary Committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FDC with regard to the post-match incidents,” a statement read.

“Further details will be communicated by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee once the prosecutor’s report has been completed.”

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Paredes was not shown to have been given a red card on Fifa’s match centre for the final, only picking up a yellow soon after he was brought off the bench at half-time.

The only player to officially be sent off was his Argentine team-mate Enzo Fernandez, who was shown a second yellow after catching Pau Cubarsi late in second-half stoppage times, sending the Spanish teenager cartwheeling through the air.

As the final whistle blew in New Jersey, a few Argentina players – including Lionel Messi – slumped to the turf.

Others stood there motionless as Spain’s players raced across the pitch in jubilation.

Rodri, who had been substituted in extra-time, ran over from the dugout to join his team-mates.

As the Manchester City midfielder went past Molina, the Argentina defender appeared to punch Rodri on the arm or stomach.

This was the fuse which ignited the trouble.

Rodri confronted Molina, but it was the Argentina player who thrust forward in an aggressive manner.

Garcia ran over to back up his team-mate at which point Paredes got involved too, jabbing Garcia in the throat.

Unused substitute Gavi tried to intervene, only to be forced to the ground by Almada.

Paredes then pushed Gavi to the floor by putting his hand in the Spaniard’s face.

Ayala then looked to be holding Garcia around the throat. He then appeared to strike Spain midfielder Dani Olmo.

“Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone’s face. He went for them,” Alan Shearer said on BBC One’s coverage. “There is no place or space for that.

“We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible.”

Joe Hart added: “The game’s done, they can have absolutely no complaints about what happened today. Disgusting behaviour.”

But Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni, who had attempted to calm the situation, appeared to play down the incidents in his post-match interview.

“We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat,” he said. “Today, we are showing that we know how to lose.

“We lost the match, and we accept it, but that doesn’t mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here.”

Bo Nix is entering the 2026 season as the 59th best player in the NFL. The Denver Broncos starting quarterback was voted No. 59 by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026.

This is Nix’s second appearance on the highly anticipated list. However, he’s ranked 10 places ahead of two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. NFL fans reacted to the development on X.

A fan said, “Nix over Lamar? Yall lost your p****ng minds.”

Another added, “Absolutely insane Bo Nix was rated higher than 2x MVP Lamar Jackson Somethings obviously going on with Jackson inside the locker room because you dont fall 60 some spots in one year just due to a few injuries.”

One wrote, “Not better than Lamar 💀”

Some weren’t as dismissive.

One said, “Bo Nix is fine where’s he’s at it’s just that the list is so bad it’ll get push back.”

Another added, “Should be like top 40 at least, absolute disrespect.”

One chipped in, writing, “Bo Nix at 59 already? Just getting started, king 👑 Broncos are back baby! 🐎🔥 #GoBroncos.”

The 2026 NFL Top 100 features a number of quarterbacks. Here’s a look at the list thus far:

• No. 59: Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
• No. 62: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
• No. 69: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
• No. 72: Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
• No. 77: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• No. 85: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
• No. 98: Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young was the first quarterback to appear on the countdown. The Carolina Panthers signal-caller made solid strides in the 2025 season, ensuring that the Panthers reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.

Jordan Love, Baker Mayfield and Brock Purdy all reminded the rest of the league of their Pro Bowl-caliber talent. Love and Purdy helped their teams to the playoffs while Mayfield narrowly missed out.

Trevor Lawrence was instrumental in the Jacksonville Jaguars reaching the postseason. The former No. 1 pick was on an MVP trajectory before falling out of the race in the later stages of the regular season.

Bo Nix and Lamar Jackson had contrasting 2025 campaigns

Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos entered the 2025 season with decent expectations. It was Nix’s second season with the franchise and Sean Payton’s third at the helm.

The former Oregon standout showcased his poise, football IQ and underrated dual-threat ability as he guided the Broncos to a deep postseason run. Nix ended the campaign with 25 touchdown passes. The Broncos might have gone even further if not for an ankle injury suffered by their star quarterback in the divisional round against the Buffalo Bills.

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens entered the 2025 season as Super Bowl favorites. The presence of the two-time MVP made the Ravens one of the most feared teams in the stacked AFC.

However, Jackson and the John Harbaugh-coached Ravens would go on to have a season to forget. They missed out on the playoffs with Jackson posting a stat line of 2,549 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 13 games. Harbaugh was subsequently fired after 18 seasons in charge.

Bo Nix and Lamar Jackson will enter the 2026 season with similar goals. They’ll look to help their teams to Super Bowl glory while proving to be the best of the AFC.