Lionel Messi "was barred for Argentina’s next four games" after he used "insulting words" with an official, FIFA ruled on Tuesday, according to Victor Mather of the N.Y. TIMES. The length of the suspension "was a surprise." Many commentators and football figures "were expecting a one- or two-game ban, at most." The ban "begins immediately:" Messi missed Tuesday’s qualifier against Bolivia, which his team lost 2-0. It does not apply to games for his club, Barcelona. He was also fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($10,100). The suspension came only hours before the game, which started at 4pm. Team secretary Jorge Miadosqui said, "The federation will appeal, as it should. We feel powerless, surprised." Messi was called for a foul by assistant referee Emerson Carvalho in the second half of Thursday’s game in Chile. He "strongly disagreed with the ruling and waved his arms and shouted at Carvalho." He did not get a yellow or red card for his actions at the time. After the game, he shook the hands of two officials, "then pointedly did not shake Carvalho’s hand." Argentina "stands third in South American qualifying, with four teams to advance automatically." Barring a "successful appeal," Messi will also miss games at Uruguay in August, versus Venezuela in September and versus Peru in October. He could return for Argentina’s final qualifier, in Ecuador on Oct. 10 (NYT, 3/28).
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