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Barcelona condemn FIFA’s ban on Lionel Messi

Thursday, 30 March 2017 1:33 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 30 March 2017 1:33 AM ]

Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (L) argues with first assistant referee Emerson Augusto de Carvalho at the end of their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia South American qualifier football match against Chile, at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, on March 23, 2017. (AFP)

Spanish giants Barcelona have slammed FIFA’s decision to hand down a four-match international ban to Lionel Messi.

In a statement on Wednesday, the club expressed surprise and indignation at the decision, and described the suspension as "unfair and totally disproportionate". They also praised Messi as an exemplary player in terms of conduct.

Messi was slapped with the ban hours before Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in La Paz, which finished in favor of the hosts. Apart from the suspension, Messi was fined 10,000 Swiss Francs for verbally abusing a match official in Argentina's match against Chile last week.

The 29-year-old will also miss World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru. This is while, Argentina have confirmed that they will appeal the suspension.

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