Ban On Lionel Messi For Next Four International Matches

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is facing a ban for four international games is just "unjust and totally disproportionate"

The Argentina forward received the ban by FIFA yesterday for "having directed insulting words" at an official during Thursday's World Cup qualifier with Chile.

He was caught on camera venting his fury at an assistant who signaled that he had committed a foul in Argentina's 1-0 win.
Barcelona have released an angry statement expressing their "surprise and outrage" at the punishment dished out to their star player.

The 29-year-old missed Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Bolivia and will also be unavailable for Argentina's next three World Cup qualifiers, unless an appeal is successful.

A statement from FIFA read: "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee, pursuant to articles 77 a) and 108 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (CDF), took the following decision regarding the case of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi after an incident that occurred during the qualifying match of The FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 played between Argentina and Chile on March 23, 2017.

"Footballer Lionel Messi is considered guilty of having violated art. 57 of the CDF when pronouncing injurious words against an assistant referee."

"The club consider the four-game ban imposed upon the player unjust and totally disproportionate.

"Finally, FC Barcelona want to reiterate their support for Leo Messi, an exemplary sportsman for his behavior on and off the pitch.