What’s the story?
Argentine legend and World Cup winner Diego Maradona has come to Lionel Messi’s defence after the latter was handed a 4-match ban by FIFA for hurling abuse at an assistant referee during La Abiceleste’s 1-0 win over Chile in a World Cup qualifier during the international break.
Maradona also went as far as denying any involvement in getting his countryman suspended and has promised to talk to FIFA president Gianni Infantino for getting the ban reduced, if not overturned.
Speaking in an interview with La Oral Deportivo (h/t Goal), Maradona said: “The punishment of Leo Messi is exaggerated. Messi’s absence was key in Bolivia. It’s like taking Cristiano [Ronaldo] out of Portugal.
“It hurts me when they say that I had an influence in Messi getting suspended for four matches. I swear to God I knew nothing.”
In case you didn’t know...
Messi was found guilty of violating article 57 of the FIFA disciplinary board for having directed insulting words at the linesman. The Barcelona superstar was fined CHF 10,000 in addition to the 4-match ban.
The 29-year-old has since refuted the allegations that he insulted the referee and has insisted that his comments were not directed towards the match official, instead, it was made to the air.
The news of Messi’s ban came hours before Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Bolivia and their captain’s absence was duly felt as La Albiceleste succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against the minnows.
The heart of the matter
Reports had emerged in Argentina suggesting that Maradona had a part to play in Lionel Messi’s sanction by FIFA, a claim since refuted by the World Cup winner. The 56-year-old also insisted that Messi’s absence has put Argentina’s World Cup qualifying campaign in jeopardy and likened the fleet-footed forward’s absence to the effect that Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence has on Portugal.
Also Read: World's best player still humble – Fabregas praises modest Messi
Diego Maradona, however, took a dig at the Argentine superstar, insisting that it was easier to reach the Argentina president that talk to the Barcelona superstar. Maradona had previously criticised Messi following Argentina’s loss to Chile in the final of the Copa America Centenario, suggesting that the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner lacked leadership qualities. The 56-year-old coached Messi during the 2010 World Cup – when he was the manager of La Albiceleste.
What's next?
Following Lionel Messi’s claims that he didn’t intend the abuses towards the assistant, it is likely that the AFA will strongly appeal against the 4-match ban, 3 of which still remain.
FIFA will have to consider the claim and review the sanction, thus opening the window for the ban to be reduced or completely overturned.
Author’s Take
Lionel Messi is known for his calm demeanor on the field and him lashing out at the assistant looked uncharacteristic but one borne out of frustration. A 4-match ban is indeed too much for the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner and most likely it will be reduced by FIFA.
Maradona has been vocal in his criticism of Messi in the past but he wouldn’t want the 29-year-old suspended, given his unquestionable importance to the national team.
