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 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.
A statement from FIFA read:
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee – in application of articles 77 a) and 108 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) – has reached a decision in relation to the case of Lionel Messi following an incident that occurred during the match between Argentina and Chile on 23 March 2017 as part of the qualifying competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
“Lionel Messi has been found guilty of violating art. 57 of the FDC for having directed insulting words at an assistant referee.
“As a result, Messi will be suspended for four official matches and sanctioned with a fine of CHF 10,000. The first match for which the sanction will apply is the next fixture in the preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ between Bolivia and Argentina, which will be played today, 28 March. The remainder of the sanction will be served over Argentina’s subsequent FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
“This decision is in line with the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s previous rulings in similar cases.
“Both the player and the Argentinian Football Association have been informed of the decision today.”
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, saying: “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.”
