Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifier
in Bolivia on Tuesday night after being handed a four-game ban by CONMEBOL and
FIFA.
The Barcelona superstar was also fined 10,000 Swiss
Francs (£8,111) after being reported to world football’s governing body after a
foul-mouthed outburst at an assistant referee during last week’s 1-0 win over
Chile.
Messi, 29, was enraged by a decision given by official
Dewson Silva during the first half, and was caught on camera verbally abusing
the official, reportedly declaring: “f*** off, the c*** of your mother."
It continued as the official joined the rest of the
officiating team in the centre of the field at the end of the game. Messi was
again in discussion with the officials and actively avoided shaking the hand of
Silva. Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci subsequently pointed Messi towards the
tunnel as the five-time Ballon d'Or turned shaking his head at the assistant.
The incident was not included in the officials’
original report, but was added on Monday and sent to CONMEBOL - South American
football’s governing body.
They then appealed to the Argentine FA on Monday
afternoon for full clarification of the facts.
Argentine Football Association vice-president Armando
Perez discussed the matter on Monday evening, telling La Tercera: “If he
behaved out of place, then he should be penalised like any other player.
“He should not get a different deal just because he is
the best player on the planet. It seems to me that he is in a position to be
investigated.
“CONMEBOL is asking for all of the information.
Everything that we know must be passed on.”
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