Argentina needs Messi to go to FIFA headquarters to ask for a reduced sentence.
The Argentine Football Association wants Messi to be present at FIFA headquarters on May 4th to increase his chances of having his suspension reduced.
The Football Federation is working to appeal Messi's sentence. On May 4th, FIFA will hold a hearing at its headquarters in Zurich (Switzerland). According to a source, if Messi is present at the hearing, he will have a higher chance of having his sentence reduced.
"We will talk to Messi to make the right decision. His trip to Switzerland is crucial for the possibility of reducing his sentence," said Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association, on April 28.
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| Argentina hopes Messi's ban will be reduced to two matches. Photo: Reuters |
Messi has been handed a four-match ban for swearing at the referee during the Argentina-Chile match. The number 10 star served one of those four matches while watching his team lose.Bolivia.
According to Di Maria, many other Argentinian players, including himself, also swore at referees without being punished. Meanwhile, Messi received a suspension due to wearing the captain's armband and being a major star.
Tapia believes Messi is under immense pressure: "You have to put yourself in Messi's shoes and understand what he's going through to see how much pressure he's under."
According to VNE
