It is official: Lionel Messi has been slapped with an international ban after his scathing attack on CONMEBOL. The federation did not shy away from punishing the Argentine superstar, barring him from three months of action with the national team.
While this penalty comes short of the two-year ban initially mentioned, La Albiceleste will be without their captain for crucial upcoming friendly matches. The Barcelona icon was also slapped with a $50,000 fine for his Copa America outburst.
Leo landed himself in trouble due to his criticism of CONMEBOL during the recent continental tournament held in Brazil. After initially complaining about the quality of the pitches, the 32-year-old was left infuriated with the officiating in their 2-0 semi-final defeat to the hosts.
Messi accused the referees of favoring the Selecao after Argentina were controversially denied two penalties. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner infuriated further by what happened in the third-place playoff.
The skipper was shown a controversial straight red card in the clash with Chile after a tussle with Gary Medel, a decision which many blasted as one of the worst sending offs in recent history. Afterward, Leo refused to pick up his bronze medal in protest.
"We don't have to be part of this corruption," Messi said the 2-1 win over Chile. "They have shown 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 went on to say the entire tournament was fixed for Brazil. He now has seven days to appeal his ban. If he fails to overturn it, he will miss his nation’s clashes with Chile, Mexico and Germany in September and October.
