FIFA BAN: Lionel Messi to miss Four International Matches

Barcelona and Argentina forward, Lionel Messi has be banned for insulting an assistant referee during a 1-0 win over Chile on 23 March 2017.

The ban which was enforced by the disciplinary committee of the World Football governing body, stated that Messi was found guilty of violating art. 57 of the FDC.

The statement read thus;

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee – in application of articles 77 a) and 108 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) – has reached a decision in relation to the case of Lionel Messi following an incident that occurred during the match between Argentina and Chile on 23 March 2017 as part of the qualifying competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™:

Lionel Messi has been found guilty of violating art. 57 of the FDC for having directed insulting words at an assistant referee.

As a result, Messi will be suspended for four official matches and sanctioned with a fine of £8,100. The first match for which the sanction will apply is the next fixture in the preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ between Bolivia and Argentina, which will be played today, 28 March. The remainder of the sanction will be served over Argentina’s subsequent FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

This decision is in line with the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s previous rulings in similar cases.

Both the player and the Argentinian Football Association have been informed of the decision today.