FIFA has dealt a four-match ban to Lionel Messi after ruling that the Argentina forward verbally abused a match official in a World Cup qualifying game against Chile.
Messi was dealt the ban and a fine by FIFA’s disciplinary panel. He will miss four of the Albiceleste’s remaining World Cup qualifiers, beginning with Tuesday’s match against Bolivia.
The incident was not initially reported by the Brazilian referee after Argentina beat Chile 1-0 in Buenos Aires on Thursday.
Messi was angered late in the game when an assistant referees flagged him for fouling an opponent. He waved his arms and shouted profane insults at the assistant.
After the game, Messi refused to shake hands with assistant referee Emerson Carvalho, who had annoyed him. Argentina are third in the South American standings with five games left. Four teams qualify directly.
Argentina newspaper Ole published documents from the FIFA inquiry, which quote head match referee Sandro Ricci as saying that he wasn’t aware that Messi insulted any official.
“I did not hear any offensive language from Messi or anyone else towards myself, besides the normal players’ complains (specially raising their hands) during the match. If I had heard any offensive word, I would have acted in according the rules of the game”.
Argentina tackle Bolivia in La Paz’s altitude minus Gonzalo Higuain, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia and Nicolas Otamendi, all of whom are suspended after collecting yellow cards
Full-backs Gabriel Mercado and Emmanuel Mas are both injured and will sit out.
Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza said on Monday that he will leave Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero on the bench despite making the seven squad changes.
Argentina are third in CONMEBOL qualifying. They have matches remaining against Bolivia, Uruguay, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador.
