Hitting back seriously CONMEBOL has handed three month ban to Argentina football team skipper Lionel Messi for his corruption comments against the South American Football governing body. He has been banned from Argentina side for three months and not Barcelona.
Argentina superstar Messi received ban from CONMEBOL on Friday. Messi had crticised CONMEBOL heavily during the 2019 Copa America tournament.
CONMEBOL announced punishment (through Marca), which included a $50,000 fine.
Messi received a red card during Argentina’s victory over Chile in the event’s third-place match and proceeded to skip the medal ceremony.
“We don’t have to be part of this corruption [and] the lack of respect they showed us throughout this tournament,” the Barcelona forward had told reporters. “Sadly, the corruption, the referees, they don’t allow people to enjoy football.”
Messi also said he believes CONMEBOL set the tournament up for the host nation of Brazil to win the championship.
“I think the cup is fixed for Brazil,” he said. “I hope 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.”
Brazil claimed a 3-1 victory over Peru in the final.
The suspension will mean Messi will miss Argentina’s September friendlies against Chile and Mexico in the United States and an October friendly clash with Germany.
He’ll be eligible to return for a Nov. 13 clash with rival Brazil in Japan.