Representatives of Barcelona and Argentina have come out in support of Lionel Messi after he was handed a four-game international ban.
On Wednesday, Barca released a statement expressing their "surprise and indignation" at the sanction, while the Argentine FA confirmed they were working on an appeal.
"We have the best team of lawyers on this issue, trying to reduce Messi's suspension,” admitted AFA president Claudio Tapa.
One of Messi’s Barca attacking partners, Luis Suarez, stated the suspension was "totally excessive," while Marcelo Tinelli, the head of Argentina's national teams committee, told Ole it was "unjust and arbitrary."
"He made a mistake and he should be punished, but not with four games,” former Argentina Coach Cesar Luis Menotti told Cadena Ser.
“Messi has never done that before, not with the national team or with Barcelona.
"I think this is linked with the despair that there is in Argentina's football and that is transmitted to the players. Messi has led Argentina to three finals and is under pressure to deliver."