Leandro Paredes should get '10-match ban' after 'disgraceful' Spain vs Argentina scenes - ex-FIFA ref

FIFA must set an example by slapping Leandro Paredes with a "10-match ban" following his full-time actions in the 2026 World Cup final.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that it's up to FIFA to regain authority after the ugly full-time scenes.

Emotions were overflowing at the New York New Jersey Stadium, especially after Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second bookable offence on Pau Cubarsi.

All hell broke loose when Slavko Vincic blew his whistle to crown Spain World Cup champions, and Luis de la Fuente's players flooded onto the field.

Nahuel Molina sparked it when punching Rodri, and Paredes added fuel to the flames, lashing out at both Eric Garcia and Gavi in the centre of the pitch.

Being labelled as "disgraceful" and "unacceptable," FIFA are now expected to set an example with the Boca Juniors star, who totally lost control at full-time.

Leandro Paredes is a 'disgrace' to football

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett slammed the midfielder's actions, stating that it warrants, at the very least, a 10-match suspension.

"Absolutely. I think this should be a minimum ten-game ban. This is the world stage. It was appalling. It was disgraceful, unacceptable," he said.

"I didn't know at the time that a red card had been issued. I'm pleased to learn that that is the case. At least the referee did his job.

"FIFA will be very unhappy with the images that beamed across. Let's face it, it wasn't a great World Cup final. It didn't meet our expectations.

"A lot of it was boring, the tactics were unacceptable, the beautiful game was lost, and the ending to the story of this World Cup is about brutality and unacceptable behaviour.

"It's up to them to start to win back the authority and the understanding of how the game should be played."

What are some of the biggest punishments at the World Cup?

The list is actually very short when it comes to retrospective punishments on the world stage, meaning that Paredes could be about to make history.

After biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, Luis Suarez was suspended for nine international matches and was forced to serve a four-month ban from all footballing activity.

Mauro Tassotti was handed an eight-match ban for elbowing Luis Enrique at the 1994 tournament, while Jose Batista served a three-match ban in 1986.

If FIFA are serious about clamping down on serious incidents, such as Paredes', the Argentine needs to be added to the list soon after the final.