Barcelona: Barcelona have condemned Fifa’s decision to impose a four-match international ban on striker Lionel Messi for verbally abusing a match official in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Chile last week.
Messi was dealt the suspension and a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs (Dh36,856) by Fifa’s disciplinary panel and is due to miss three more of Argentina’s remaining four World Cup qualifiers after sitting out of Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Bolivia.
“FC Barcelona expresses its surprise and indignation at the decision by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee to suspend Leo Messi following the Fifa World Cup qualifying fixture between Argentina and Chile,” the club said.
“The club considers the four-match suspension imposed on the Argentine player to be unfair and totally disproportionate.
“Finally, FC Barcelona wishes to reiterate its support for Leo Messi, an exemplary player in terms of conduct, both on and off the pitch.”
The 29-year-old Messi will also miss Argentina’s games away to Uruguay and home to Venezuela and Peru. The five-time world player of the year will be eligible again for the country’s last World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on October 10.
Argentina are fifth in their World Cup qualifying group, a point behind the automatic qualification spots.
Messi’s suspension left Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza forced to make a hasty reshuffle to his starting line-up, bringing in Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa in attack while leaving Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero on the bench.
But Argentina, clearly struggling in the thin air of La Paz, which is 3,600 metres (11,800 feet) above sea level, were well beaten at the Estadio Hernando Siles.
Bolivia, desperate for three points, tore into Argentina from the opening whistle, spending long periods camped around their opponents area.
Juan Carlos Arce opened the scoring for Bolivia on 31 minutes, heading in Pablo Escobar’s inviting cross before Marcelo Martins doubled the home side’s lead early the second half.
Chile moved up to fourth place with a 3-1 win over Venezuela in Santiago, Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez opening the scoring with a stunning early free-kick. Esteban Paredes scored twice for Chile to give the host a 3-1 lead before Salomon Rondon pulled a goal back for Venezuela.
In Quito, Real Madrid star James Rodriguez scored one goal and set up another for Juan Cuadrado as Colombia beat Ecuador 2-0.
The top four qualify directly for the World Cup in Russia next year and the fifth-placed side go into a play-off against a team from Oceania for another place in the global showpiece event.
