Messi has been handed over this ban after the veteran had accused CONMEBOL of “corruption” during the Copa America tournament which Brazil went on to win.
(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 02, 2019 Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures during the Copa America football tournament semi-final match against Brazil at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. - CONMEBOL announced on August 2, 2019, a ban on Messi for three months and a $50,000 fine after the Copa America outburst against the organization. "Corruption and the referees are preventing people from enjoying the football and they're ruining it a bit," Messi had said after the third-place match against Chile in which he was shown a red card. (Photo by Pedro UGARTE / AFP)
Star Argentina football player Lionel Messi will not be able to represent Argentina in any football fixture before the month of November after the South American Football Confederation, CONMEBOL, banned him for three months for his “corruption” remarks at Copa America 2019.
Messi has been handed over this ban after the veteran had accused CONMEBOL of “corruption” during the Copa America tournament which Brazil went on to win.
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It is worth noting that after the Chile match for the third place in the recently concluded Copa America tournament, Messi had said, “I think the cup is fixed for Brazil. I hope that the VAR and the referees have nothing to do in this final and that Peru can compete because they have the team to do so although I think it’s difficult.”
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Leo also went on to suggest that the red card he received in the match against Chile was not because of what happened in the field but because he had criticised the umpires.
In response, CONMEBOL released a statement in which they described Messi’s comments as “unacceptable” since it clearly shows disrespect for the coveted tournament. The body moreover said that his comments were in fact “unfounded accusations”.
Lionel Messi was earlier handed over a one-match ban and a fine worth $1,500 for the same “harsh comments”. However, they have now come up with this revised punishment.
In effect, the revised punishment would mean that Lionel Messi will be serving three-month suspension from Friday implying he would not be able to play for Argentina in the friendly matches against Chile, Mexico and Germany. Messi has also been fined $50,000.
CONMEBOL has given seven days to the star player to appeal the sanctioned punishment.
Messi is currently the part of the Barcelona squad who are busy participating in friendly matches as part of their preparation for the forthcoming season and will play Arsenal on Sunday in the finals of the Joan Gamper Trophy.
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