Messi: 'I was talking into thin air'

The Argentina captain explained the incident that led to him being accused of insulting the referee and receiving a four-match ban.

Messi received a suspension for allegedly insulting the referee during the Argentina-Chile match on March 24th. The refereeing team did not include the incident in their post-match report; instead, FIFA based its penalty on video footage.

Messi himself asserted that the offensive remarks were merely to vent his frustration and not directed at any particular individual. "I was just talking into the air, not at the referee," M10 told La Nacion on March 29th.

Messi's international career is currently in a very difficult phase. Photo: Reuters

The Argentine Football Association is currently appealing Messi's suspension. The goal of this action is to reduce the ban to one or two matches.

"We are very surprised by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee's decision. It's even more infuriating that it was made just hours before the match against Bolivia (Argentina lost 0-2). We will appeal and believe we can reduce the penalty," said Argentina's secretary, Jorge Miadosqui.

The new president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia, also expressed his determination: "Messi doesn't need to worry. We will do everything we can to reduce the punishment. This is unfair."