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Messi suspended from World Cup Qualifier

July 25, 2019
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (centre left) and Chile’s Gary Medel (centre right), scuffle as referee Mario Diaz (left), from Paraguay, shows the red card to both of them during their Copa America third-place match at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday, July 6.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (centre left) and Chile’s Gary Medel (centre right), scuffle as referee Mario Diaz (left), from Paraguay, shows the red card to both of them during their Copa America third-place match at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday, July 6.

ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP):

Lionel Messi was suspended from Argentina's first qualifying match for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and fined US$1,500 (over J$200,000) by South American football's governing body.

CONMEBOL said its decision on Tuesday resulted from Messi's red card during Argentina's 2-1 win over Chile on July 6 in the third-place match of the Copa America. Messi was ejected in the 37th minute after a tussle with Chile's Gary Medel, who also received a red card.

South American qualifying starts in March.

The decision does not mention Messi's attacks against the Copa America organisation. Messi said there was corruption in the tournament and that the tournament was set up for Brazil to win. Messi later apologised to CONMEBOL for his comments.

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