FIFA bans Lionel Messi for four World Cup qualifying games

Argentinian's Lionel Messi was suspended for four games and fined for insulting an assistant referee during a World Cup qualification match last week, FIFA announced Tuesday.

Messi was not penalized for abuse of an official during his country’s 1-0 victory over Chile last Thursday, but television cameras caught a heated exchange.  The ban will keep Messi off the field for Argentina’s next four World Cup qualifies, starting with Tuesday’s contest against Bolivia.

“This decision is in line with the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s previous rulings in similar cases,” FIFA said in a statement.

The fine of 10,000 Swiss Francs amounts to about $10,100.

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