Lionel Messi denies abusing officials, claims comments were directed at the air

Messi has denied any wrongdoing

What’s the story?

Lionel Messi, who was recently handed a four-match ban for insulting a referee’s assistant during Argentina’s game against Chile, has denied any wrongdoing. The Argentine superstar has made a bizarre claim stating that the comments he made were directed at the air and not to anyone in particular.

“My comments were never directed at the first assistant, they were comments made to the air," said the Barcelona striker to Argentine newspaper, La Nacion.

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Messi was on the receiving end of several bad challenges in the game against Chile following which he was seen remonstrating angrily with the officials. He was subsequently handed a four-match ban and missed his side’s fixture against Bolivia – a game they lost 2-0.

The Argentine will miss three further fixtures meaning he will not feature for his nation until late November.

The heart of the matter

The Argentinian Football Association have included Messi’s words in a statement sent to FIFA as they attempt to overturn the ban on the 29-year-old. Along with the statement, there was also a note from Messi whose details have not yet been disclosed according to Marco Tinelli, a journalist who had access to the statement.

Argentina, meanwhile, are struggling in their attempts to qualify for the World Cup. With fixtures against Uruguay, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador coming up, they will need to pick up maximum points if they are to earn an automatic qualification spot. They currently sit fifth, a point off fourth-placed Chile.

Here is a video of the incident:

What’s next?

While Argentina appeal the ban on the 29-year-old, Messi himself will be looking to put this incident behind him and focus on club football for the next few weeks. He will return to action for Barcelona against Granada on Monday as the Catalans look to close the gap on league leaders Real Madrid.

Author’s Take

Despite the AFA as well as Messi’s attempts to play down the situation, it is highly unlikely that the Argentine’s words were directed at the air. It is doubtful that FIFA will overturn the ban and Messi would do well to accept his punishment with grace and class.