This archive report was first published on 3 August 2019.
On August 3, 2019, Lionel Messi was handed a three-month ban from international duty and fined $50,000 by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) for his 'corruption' outburst during the Copa America.
Messi, the Argentina captain, had accused the tournament of being fixed in favour of hosts Brazil, who won the title after beating Argentina in a controversial semi-final.
CONMEBOL had previously fined Messi $1,500 for his sending off in the third-place playoff, but the latest sanctions are a result of his comments about the tournament being corrupt.
According to CONMEBOL, Messi's comments were 'unacceptable' and he will miss Argentina's upcoming friendlies against Chile and Mexico in the United States in September and another against Germany in Dortmund on October 9.
Messi can appeal against the latest sanctions within seven days.
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