Football Notes: Lionel Messi To Testify In Appeal Against Four-Match Ban

FIFA asked Lionel Messi to testify in the appeal against his four-match int'l ban next month, Argentine FA President Claudio Tapia said. Messi was "punished for verbally abusing a match official during Argentina's World Cup qualifying game against Chile last month." Tapia said, "Messi has been summoned by FIFA to present his testimony on May 4 regarding his four-match ban after the game against Chile" (ESPN.com, 4/13).

Five players from Mid-Ulster League club Crewe United were banned for "over a year" by the Irish FA following an investigation into match-fixing. The players were charged with "bringing the game into disrepute" for bets placed on their Irish Cup tie against Warrenpoint Town on Feb. 4. The players "are suspended from all affiliated football" until May 31, 2018 (BBC, 4/13).