AFA president Claudio Tapia has announced that football superstar Lionel Messi will not miss any matches for Argentina because of the red card he received in 2019, as per Goal.com.
The 33-year-old was controversially dismissed in a Copa America match against Chile in July 2019, with the Barcelona star subsequently receiving a one-match ban.
The football governing body CONMEBOL initially said that the Argentine would have to miss a competitive match, with the forward permitted to play in the friendly matches against Brazil and Uruguay.
However, Tapia successfully challenged the decision of the governing body, arguing that the statute of limitations on the ban had expired, and thus clearing Barca captain for playing in the World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Bolivia.
The forward had been handed a red card after he clashed with Gary Medel in the first half, with the Chilean player also dismissed for his part in the incident. La Albiceleste had emerged victorious in that game by 2-1, with Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala both getting on the scoresheet.
The Argentine star had been left fuming after the match as he slammed CONMEBOL for corruption and snubbed the medal ceremony.
“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.”
Messi recently shocked the entire football world by saying that he wanted to leave Barcelona this summer. He was linked with some top European clubs, with Manchester City thought to be the most likely candidates to land his services.
However, he has now confirmed that he will stay at Camp Nou after the Catalans blocked an amicable split.
