Messi's suspension lifted in 2018 World Cup qualifiers

FIFA announced that Argentina's captain will not have to serve a four-match international ban.

Messi questioned the referees after the match.

Lionel Messi was handed a heavy punishment following the 1-0 win over Chile in January in the South American qualifying round of the 2018 World Cup. The Argentina forward was accused of using vulgar language towards the assistant referee, after being caught in a collision near the touchline.

Due to the suspension, Messi was unable to participate in the following match against Bolivia, where his team suffered a 0-2 defeat.

After reviewing the appeal of the Argentine Football Federation, FIFA found that Messi's behavior was "reprehensible" but there was not enough evidence to charge the striker born in 1987. Therefore, they decided to fine him more than $10,000 and lift the ban.

Messi can therefore return to the Argentina team to faceUruguay, Venezuela, Peru andEcuadorin the next rounds of the qualifying round. The tango team is currently in fifth place - a position that is not enough to get a direct ticket to the finals next summer, but must compete in the play-off.

According to VNE