Lionel Messi has been issued a four game ban by FIFA on Tuesday after he verbally abused an official during Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match against Chile last week.
Barcelona released a statement on Wednesday regarding Messi’s suspension and needless to say they are not happy about it.
“FC Barcelona expresses its surprise and indignation at the ex officio action by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee by suspending the player Leo Messi following the FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture between Argentina and Chile,” Barcelona stated.
Messi’s suspension will take him out of three of Argentina’s upcoming games which are qualifiers to get into the World Cup. His team could have used him Tuesday night, having suffered a 2-0 loss to Bolivia.
“The club considers the four-match suspension finally imposed on the Argentine player to be unfair and totally disproportionate,” the statement reads. “Finally, FC Barcelona wishes to reiterate its support for Leo Messi, an exemplary player in terms of conduct both on and off the pitch.”
Official FC Barcelona statement regarding FIFA suspension of Leo #Messi: https://t.co/BuOmRCeCDP pic.twitter.com/Bc8DbrB9oq
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 29, 2017
FIFA claims Messi “directed insulting words at an assistant referee” during Argentina’s match against Chile last Thursday. According to ESPNFC, the assistant referee, Emerson Carvalho, flagged Messi for fouling a Chilean player in which Messi exploded in rage, shouting insults and waving his arms in the air.
Even some of Messi’s teammates think the penalty is unfair.
“I find Messi’s ban totally excessive,” Luis Suarez told Sport 890, per ESPNFC. “Now they will have to do the same with all the players that hurl insults.”
The head of Argentina’s national teams committee, Marcelo Tinelli told Olé, “We will appeal the decision because it’s unjust and arbitrary. Messi had never done this before. We are talking with the AFA lawyers and others that specialize in sporting law. It really took us by surprise because we never thought it would be so harsh.”
Former Argentina coach Cesar Luis Menotti believes Messi’s outburst could be related to Argentina’s loss in the finals last summer.
“I think this is linked with the despair that there is in Argentina’s football and that is transmitted to the players,” said Menotti. “Messi has led Argentina to three finals and he is under pressure to deliver. Someone should explain to Messi that he is not responsible for making Argentina win but rather help Argentina play better. Of course, to replace Messi is impossible.”
Messi will be eligible to return for Argentina’s final match against Ecuador on October 10.
Featured Image Via Wikimedia
