Messi was controversially
sent off in a Copa America third-place playoff against Chile in July last year
and was handed a one game ban.
The president of the
Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia, has confirmed superstar
footballer, Lionel Messi won't miss any games for his country as the result of
a red card handed out to him in the 2019 Copa America.
Messi had been shown a red
card following a clash with Gary Medel in the 37th minute. The decision to send
off Messi annoyed him as he claimed Brazil was cheating in the competition.
"There is no doubt,
the whole thing is set up for Brazil," he said.
"I hope the VAR and
referees don't play any part in the final and that Peru can compete but it
looks tough to me.
"I did not want to be
part of this corruption, we shouldn't have to be part of this disrespect we
suffered during the Copa America.
"We could have gone
further but we weren't allowed into the final. Corruption, referees and all the
rest stopped people from enjoying the football.
"I always tell the
truth and I'm honest, that is what keeps me calm, if what I say has
repercussions that is not my business.
"I think that what
happened is because of what I said [against Brazil]. What I said last time
perhaps came back to haunt me."
The South American Football
Confederation (CONMEBOL) earlier said Messi would have to sit out a competitive
match, but ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Bolivia next
month, FA president Tapia has successfully challenged the outstanding ban stating
that the statute of limitations on the ban had expired.
The Argentine FA took to
their official Twitter handle to announce the news on Friday September 11.
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