Hurray! Lionel Messi Back to Field: FIFA Lifts the 4-Match Ban after Appeal
Argentinian
superstar Lionel Messi is free to represent his country in their World Cup
qualifiers after his four-match international ban was overturned on appeal. The
29-year-old forward was suspended for directing “insulting words” at an
assistant referee during a 1-0 win over Chile in March, and he has missed
one match – against Bolivia – which they lost 2-0. A FIFA appeal committee
said while his behaviour was “reproachable”, the evidence was not sufficient.
The Barcelona star will now be
available for matches against Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru as Argentina fight to
secure a place at next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia. A fine of 10,000
Swiss francs (£7,800) was also lifted. The FIFA appeal committee concluded “the
evidence available was not sufficient to establish” an infringement had
occurred. “The appeal committee nevertheless underlines the importance of
always showing respect to the match officials, stressing that such a principle
is essential in football and any unsporting conduct that may be contrary to the
principles of fair play cannot be accepted,” it said in a statement.
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