LIONEL MESSI’S Argentina suspension has been reversed after a successful appeal.
The Barcelona star had been set to miss out on a World Cup qualifier with Ecuador next month, following explosive comments in which he accused governing body CONMEBOL of corruption.
Messi was sent off in a fiery encounter with ChileCredit: AFP or licensors
Messi blasted CONMEBOL in explosive post-match commentsCredit: AFP or licensors
But Argentine FA chief Claudio Tapia launched an appeal, claiming that the statute of limitations on the ban had expired.
And pleasingly for boss Lionel Scaloni, formerly of West Ham, it has been successful – meaning that Messi WILL be available after all.
The punishment had been handed out following a fiery third-place play-off clash between Chile and Argentina at last year’s Copa America.
After Messi, 33, had been shown a red card, he fumed that the competition had been “set up for Brazil” to win.
He huffed after the game: “There is no doubt, the whole thing is set up for Brazil.
“I did not want to be part of this corruption, we shouldn’t have to be part of this disrespect we suffered during the Copa America.
“We could have gone further but we weren’t allowed into the final. Corruption, referees and all the rest stopped people from enjoying the football.
“I always tell the truth and I’m honest, that is what keeps me calm, if what I say has repercussions that is not my business.”
Messi was involved in an altercation with Gary MedelCredit: Getty – Contributor
Such claims were unfounded, although Brazil did end up lifting the trophy after beating Peru in the final.
Messi again proved his willingness to speak his mind this summer, after delivering an explosive interview in the wake of his failed attempt to leave Barcelona.
Following his decision not to take legal action in order to force an exit, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner told Goal: “I told the club, including the president, that I wanted to go. I’ve been telling him that all year. I believed it was time to step aside.
“I believed that the club needed more young players, new players and I thought my time in Barcelona was over. I felt very sorry because I always said that I wanted to finish my career here.
“It was a very difficult year, I suffered a lot in training, in games and in the dressing room. Everything became very difficult for me and there came a time when I considered looking for new ambitions.
“It did not come because of the Champions League result against Bayern, no – I had been thinking about the decision for a long time.
“I told the president and, well, the president always said that at the end of the season I could decide if I wanted to go or if I wanted to stay and in the end he did not keep his word.”
Messi gave an explosive interview after failing to seal a Barcelona departureCredit: Reuters
Lionel Messi trains with Barcelona for first time since failed transfer request as he prepares for new season
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
