In this file picture taken on July 6, 2019 Argentina’s Lionel Messi (C) talks to Paraguayan referee Mario Diaz de Vivar after he and Chile’s Gary Medel (out of frame) were sent off during their Copa America football tournament third-place match at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Sat 03 August 2019:
Lionel Messi has been banned from playing international matches for Argentina for three months after claiming the Copa America was ‘corrupt’.
The South American Football Confederation, Conmebol, has also fined the 32-year-old $50,000 (£41,121) for his comments following his sending off during Argentina’s 2-1 win against Chile in the third-place play-off of the tournament last month.
Messi was sent off for only the second time in his career after pushing Chile midfielder Gary Medel, who was also shown a red card.
“We don’t have to be part of this corruption,” Messi said afterwards. “They have showed us a lack of respect throughout this tournament.
“Sadly, the corruption, the referees, they don’t allow people to enjoy football, they ruined it a bit.”
He also added that the “cup was fixed for Brazil”.
Messi has seven days to appeal Conmebol’s decision. If the ban stands, the Barcelona forward will miss Argentina’s friendlies against Chile, Mexico and Germany in September and October.
Their qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup begins next March.
Argentina had already complained about “serious and gross refereeing errors” following their 2-0 semi-final loss to hosts Brazil.
Conmebol had said questioning the integrity of the Copa America were “unfounded” and “represent a lack of respect”.
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