Barcelona expresses 'indignation' at Messi's international ban
Barcelona released a statement Wednesday declaring support for its talismanic forward Lionel Messi following his four-match ban from professional international clashes.
The 29-year-old's suspension was due to his foul-mouthed abuse of an assistant referee during Argentina's 1-0 win over Chile last Thursday, and FIFA's sanction came into effect merely four hours before Tuesday's damaging 2-0 loss in Bolivia.
Related: Messi banned 4 matches for aiming profane tirade at official
The Argentine Football Association has expressed an intent to appeal the ban, and now Barcelona has defended Messi's conduct and offered him its backing.
The club's statement reads:
FC Barcelona expresses its surprise and indignation at the decision by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to suspend Leo Messi following the FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture between Argentina and Chile.
The Club considers the four-match suspension imposed on the Argentine player to be unfair and totally disproportionate.
Finally, FC Barcelona wishes to reiterate its support for Leo Messi, an exemplary player in terms of conduct, both on and off the pitch.
Messi still has to serve World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay, Venezuela, and Peru on the sidelines. He will be available, however, for the marquee friendly with Brazil in Melbourne, Australia on June 9.
His absence was sorely felt in La Paz. Bereft of leadership and with an unfamiliar front pairing of Lucas Pratto and Angel Correa, La Albiceleste succumbed to a loss which means it has failed to win in seven of the last eight matches Messi was unavailable.
Related: Bolivia beats Messi-less Argentina at 3,600 metres above sea level
The defeat leaves Argentina a worrisome fifth in the qualification table for Russia 2018. Chile is in the final spot which secures advancement to the finals due to a better goal difference than Edgardo Bauza's side, while Ecuador is two points adrift of Argentina's playoff position.
"When the rumour began to settle, the concern began to take on more volume," Bauza told PA Sport of when news of Messi's suspension filtered through. "It seemed strange that in one day everything could be done, that we did not have time to make an appeal.
"We did not have time to work with someone else. Now the corresponding procedure for the appeal is being processed."