By Daily Sports on July 8, 2019

An angry Lionel Messi skipped the Copa America medal ceremony and accused referees of corruption following Argentina’s failure to win the tournament and his rare red card in Saturday’s 2-1, third-place, playoff victory over Chile in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Minutes before half-time, Messi clashed with Gary Medel after the Chile defender had shepherded the ball out of play near his goal. The two players aggressively bumped chests a number of times before match referee Mauro Diaz de Vivar intervened and immediately flashed red cards for both.

The straight red marked the first time the Barcelona forward had been sent off in a senior game for club or country since a red in his debut with the national team against Hungary in 2005.

After the match, Messi, who didn't collect his third-place medal with his teammates, tore into the officiating at the tournament, suggesting his red card was a result of his harsh criticism of officials following the semifinal loss against Brazil in which Argentina saw two penalty claims denied.

“It’s a play that happens a lot. [Medel] always plays to the limit. I think the referee overreacted. With a yellow card for both of us, everything would be over,” he said.

“I feel lot of anger because I think I did not deserve that red card because I think we were playing a very good game. We were ahead, but, as I said recently, unfortunately there is a lot of corruption, the referees. ... We leave with the feeling that they did not allow us to be in the final, that we were ready for better. Brazil's match and today’s match were our two best performances, but then when you are sincere, you say things and these things happen.”

Asked directly if his red card was a result of his previous complaints, Messi said: “Yes, unfortunately, yes. You cannot be honest, and you cannot say how things should be done.”

As a result of the expulsion, Messi faces a suspension for Argentina's opening World Cup qualifier in March. He said he was not concerned about an additional ban for his strong postmatch comments. (ESPN)

•Photo shows Lionel Messi

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 8, 2019

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