World Cup final villain Leandro Paredes sparks another on-pitch melee just weeks after Spain antics – as Argentina thug is booked for classless act
Leandro Paredes was back antagonising opponents on a football pitch at the weekend with some of his antics, but this time at club level.
Paredes’ spoiling tactics caught the eye for the wrong reasons last month during Argentina’s World Cup semi-final win over England and even more so during his country’s abject final defeat by Spain.
He has since returned to club action and played for Boca Juniors in their 2-2 draw at Newell’s Old Boys on Sunday in the Argentine Primera Division – Torneo Clausura.
And during that encounter, the 32-year-old was back producing some ‘dark arts’ with one particular flashpoint.
Trailing 2-1 to the hosts, Paredes started an on-pitch melee when he appeared to deliberately kick a ball at a stricken opponent on 68 minutes.
As the player, who had just been fouled, was returning to his feet and with his back turned, Paredes booted the ball at him.
Leandro Paredes sparked a melee during Boca Juniors’ 2-2 draw at Newell’s Old Boys
Paredes appeared to kick a ball deliberately at a stricken opponent during Sunday’s encounter
The 32-year-old’s actions saw him booked as he was confronted by Newell’s Old Boys players
Paredes threw Spain’s Gavi to the floor in disgraceful scenes after the World Cup final in July
The act saw angry players from Newell’s Old Boys confront him before the referee brandished him a yellow card for his act.
This latest act follows Paredes’ shameful post-match actions after the World Cup final when he bizarrely fought some members of Spain’s victorious team.
He grabbed defender Eric Garcia by the neck, pushed over Gavi and also appeared to throw punches after Argentina’s defeat. He was also fortunate not to be sent off towards the end of normal time for a foul.
FIFA has since launched disciplinary proceedings against Paredes for the unsavoury scenes – he faces three counts of assault as well as a charge of unsporting behaviour.
