AFA wants to speak with Messi, putting together appeal of suspension

Argentina's 2018 World Cup qualifying is in desperate need of revival, but La Albiceleste can't rely on Lionel Messi until the final matchday, at which point it could be too late.

That is, unless, the Asociacion del Futbol Argentino is successful in an appeal to FIFA.

Marcelo Tinelli, president of the AFA's Comision de Selecciones Nacionales, confirmed the federation is hoping to talk to Messi and will present an appeal of the Argentinian genius' four-match suspension.

"The idea is to converse with the player in Spain next week," Tinelli said, according to ESPN FC. "The appeal is going to be presented and we will be discussing it with lawyers from Spain and Argentina and we want to speak with the player so we must travel there."

Messi was suspended for four matches after being found guilty of insulting an assistant referee during Argentina's unconvincing victory over Chile. The first game of the suspension was served as La Albiceleste suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bolivia at Hernando Siles, approximately 3,600 metres above sea level. Only four South American national teams will qualify for the 2018 World Cup without having to go through an inter-confederation play-off, and Argentina is fifth.

The AFA's board of directors approved the hiring of two lawyers who specialise in sporting rights, one of whom is Dr. Juan de Dios Crespo, who is from Spain.

Asked by Ole if he was optimistic about the appeal, Crespo replied: "It wouldn't be ethical to talk when the presentation isn't ready." The lawyer also said he is yet to talk to Messi. According to FOX Sports, the player will ask that the AFA's board of directors doesn't talk to him until Edgardo Bauza's future as manager of Argentina is sorted out.

In the six 2018 World Cup qualifiers in which Messi played, Argentina won five and lost one. In the eight he missed, La Albiceleste won one and lost four.