Messi Suspended from First World Cup Qualifier

South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) handed Lionel Messi a one-match ban and a $1,500 fine for accusing the federation of being “corrupt” during the 2019 Copa America semi-finals.

The Argentinian captain will serve a one-game suspension for the red card he received against Chile in the competition’s third-place match.

Besides being sent off against Chile, Messi believed that his team was unfairly treated after several controversial VAR decisions went against Argentina in the semi-final. Angrily, he levelled corruption accusations against the federation and further said that the tournament was rigged in favour of the hosts – Brazil – to win the title.

The ban is set to be served as Argentina’s first match of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

CONMEBOL has also decided to sack the president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia, from the FIFA executive committee, after he joined Messi in criticizing the federation publicly.

A new candidate will be elected to fill Tapia’s FIFA position, but the federation has not yet set a date for this decision.

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