The Argentinean FA have seen their appeal to overturn Lionel Messi’s three-month ban from international football rejected.
Messi accused the South American football governing body CONMEBOL of ‘being corrupt’ after his nation fell to a Copa America semi-final defeat against Brazil.
The 32-year-old later then doubled down on his comments following the third-placed playoff against Chile and refused to take part in the medal distribution after the clash.
CONMEBOL then dished out their punishment in August which was a three-month ban from international football alongside a $50k fine, as cited by ESPN.
Messi’s international ban will now not expire until 3 November meaning that he will sit out both of the October friendlies for his nation – against Germany and Ecuador respectively.
Messi is an established star of La Albiceleste and has scored a national record 68 goals for the team in a total of 136 international appearances, but has never won an international tournament with his nation.
