Twitter explodes as Lionel Messi is handed 4-match ban by FIFA

Lionel Messi has been hung out to dry by FIFA

Argentina captain and arguably the best player in the world – Lionel Messi –  has been handed a 4-match ban by FIFA for abusing an assistant referee during La Albiceleste’s 1-0 win over Chile in the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier on 23^rd March.

FIFA have issued a statement on the ban, wherein they have explained that Messi was found guilty of violating article 57 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code for having directed insulting words at an assistant referee. The 29-year-old has also been handed a fine of CHF 10,000 in addition to the fine.

The ban looks to be a statement of intent by FIFA, highlighting that any form of dissent or such unprofessional behavior on the pitch will not be tolerated, no matter who the player in question is. Messi’s absence will be a huge blow to Argentina’s hopes for qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, as La Albiceleste have struggled in the absence of their talisman.

Messi will miss 3 World Cup qualifying matches due to the ban apart from a friendly against Brazil.

Twitter, as you would expect, didn’t hold back and had plenty to say about the announcement by FIFA. Here are the best tweets:

The big announcement!

Lionel Messi banned for 4 matches by FIFA for hurling abuse at officials https://t.co/QvVj9V7rE6 pic.twitter.com/cqbgC5RPfT

— Sportskeeda Football (@SK_Football) March 28, 2017

Messi banned for four games for potty-mouthed outburst, misses Bolivia match tonight.https://t.co/vD1elI1VeL pic.twitter.com/HE0fHL7IPf

— AS English (@English_AS) March 28, 2017

Ouch!

Messi should have stayed retired when he had the chance. He's a bottler on the International level

— Mrs. Alarcon (@nancycr7rma) March 28, 2017

Oh Gonzalo, not again!

Pretty sure Messi swearing was Higuain's fault somehow

— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) March 28, 2017

Messi fan boy logic, Higuain and aguero were behind messi's suspension.

— KROOS WORLD (@kroosworld) March 28, 2017

Have FIFA been unfair on Messi?

Insulting the officials is not acceptable behaviour, but it does not merit a four-match ban. Happens every game. Messi hung out to dry.

— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) March 28, 2017

Given that, in my experience, Latin Americans have quite a liberal attitude to swearing, whatever Messi said must have been *amazing*.

— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) March 28, 2017

Whatever Messi or Ronaldo do, things will be put on a bigger perspective!

Messi:
Abuses officials
Tax evader
Supports racists

CR7:
Donates to Palestine & Syria
Class father

— (@inverthis) March 28, 2017

Messi's 4-match ban for abusing referee does counter the narrative that Messi is the nice guy compared to Ronaldo in their rivalry

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) March 28, 2017

And then the conspiracy theories....

Can't help but wonder if FIFA is still angry that Lionel Messi didn't show up for their award show this year.

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) March 28, 2017

Argentina are in trouble, big-big trouble!

FIFA ban Leo Messi for tonight's qualifier with Bolivia.

With Messi in WCQ:
15 out of 18 points

Without: 7 our of 21 points pic.twitter.com/l1t0ko6fHa

— Coral (@Coral) March 28, 2017

Breaking news: @selecaoportugal paid FIFA 10,500,570 euros to ban Messi for 4 games pic.twitter.com/OkDh8ilsZo

— Calvin (@MagistralMessi) March 28, 2017

Referee in his report: "I did not hear any offensive language from Messi. If I had heard anything I'd have acted."

4 match ban pic.twitter.com/0nNjxnsq5B

— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) March 28, 2017

Messi's ban will be reduced somewhere along the line. To one game, maybe. The one he's already missed. The one at altitude in La Paz.

— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) March 28, 2017