FIFA Bans Paredes for 10 Matches After Incident with Gavi in World Cup Final
Listen to the story
FIFA, football's world governing body, has given Argentina player Leandro Paredes a strong sanction.
Paredes will miss 10 matches because of an aggressive action against Spain's Gavi.
The incident took place during the final of the World Cup.
FIFA has also punished Argentina's football fans.
The fans sang chants during the final that FIFA considered unacceptable.
Many people are now discussing whether the punishment is fair to the Argentine team.
The AFA, Argentina's football federation, has spoken out about the decision.
The AFA called the sanctions "exaggerated", meaning too extreme.
The federation believes FIFA has been too harsh in this case.
FIFA has not given many extra details about the exact reasons for the length of the ban.
This story has caused a strong reaction among fans and football experts.
Some believe FIFA is right to punish bad behaviour on the field.
Others think the ban is too long for a single incident.
The debate also includes the punishment given because of the fans' chants.
It remains unclear if Argentina or Paredes will appeal the decision.
An appeal means asking for the decision to be changed.
For now, Paredes cannot play with his team for 10 matches.
The case shows how seriously FIFA treats player conduct during major finals.
Vocabulary5 words
- sanction
- an official punishment
- aggressive
- behaving in an angry or forceful way
- chants
- words or songs repeated by fans
- reaction
- what people say or feel about something
- appeal
- to formally ask for a decision to be changed
Quiz
Answer key
1. 10 2. The chants sung by Argentina's fans 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
FIFA, football's world governing body, has given Argentina player Leandro Paredes a strong _____.
Paredes will miss _____ matches because of an aggressive action against Spain's Gavi.
The incident took place during the _____ of the World Cup.
FIFA has also punished Argentina's football _____.
The fans sang _____ during the final that FIFA considered unacceptable.
The AFA, Argentina's football _____, has spoken out about the decision.
The AFA called the sanctions "_____", meaning too extreme.
This story has caused a strong _____ among fans and football experts.
It remains unclear if Argentina or Paredes will _____ the decision.
For now, Paredes cannot play with his team for _____ matches.
Discussion questions
- Do you think a 10-match ban is a fair punishment for an aggressive action in football?
- Should fans be responsible if they sing offensive chants during a match?
- Why might sports organizations like FIFA want to punish player conduct strictly?
- Do you agree with the AFA that the sanctions are exaggerated? Why or why not?