New footage has emerged showing World Cup final referee Slavko Vincic asking Lionel Messi to "control" Argentina's Leandro Paredes prior to the midfielder's altercation with Spanish players at full-time.
The incident occurred after Spain secured victory in the World Cup final, when Paredes became involved in a confrontation with Eric Garcia and Gavi.
During the match, Vincic, wearing a referee cam, can be heard telling Messi, "Messi, control Paredes. I don't want to... he has yellow. Control please. Always, always." Paredes, who was substituted into the game at halftime and received a yellow card shortly after, remained on the field until the end of the match.
Following the final whistle, Paredes was seen grabbing Eric Garcia by the neck, pushing Gavi, and appearing to throw punches. He had also been fortunate not to receive a red card for a foul late in regulation time.
FIFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Paredes, with charges including assault and unsporting behavior. Vincic also received his medal from Donald Trump after the match, who reportedly told him he did a "great job."
Paredes has since returned to club duty with Boca Juniors. In a recent match, he was booked for deliberately kicking a ball at an opponent who had just been fouled, an act that sparked a melee on the field.
In the aftermath of the World Cup final, Paredes had suggested he might consider retiring from international football, citing the difficulty of maintaining the team's performance level and the emotional toll of the loss. "For many, it will be the time to decide if to continue. It was a great journey. Maintaining that level – getting the group to continue to function as it has - will be very difficult, and there are many factors to consider," he told ESPN. He added that decisions would be made calmly and that he was unsure if he was ready to continue, needing time to assimilate and mature from the experience.
Meanwhile, teammate Enzo Fernandez faced a mixed reception upon his return to Chelsea. While some fans booed his name before kick-off and during play, others sang his name. Fernandez, who wore the captain's armband for the final 30 minutes of a match, has been the subject of transfer speculation, with reports indicating a desire to play for Real Madrid. His club, Chelsea, has reportedly set a deadline for transfer offers.