Lionel Messi can play in Argentina’s opening 2022 FIFA World
Cup qualifier next month, Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football
Association, said on Thursday.
Tapia said this was because the statute of limitations
(barring him from playing) has run out on the ban he was given during last
year’s Copa America
Messi was banned for one game after being sent off in the
Copa America third-place playoff against Chile and for levelling accusations of
“corruption” at South American football chiefs.
Messi had been expected to serve the ban by missing
Argentina’s qualifier against Ecuador, which is scheduled to take place in
Buenos Aires on October 8.
However, Tapia said he had consulted with South American
Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) President Alejandro Dominguez.
“…. he confirmed the statute of limitations had expired and
that he (Messi) is able to play,” Tapia was quoted as saying by AFA on twitter.
The FC Barcelona forward was shown the red card after
clashing with Gary Medel.
Afterwards, he alleged the tournament had been fixed in
favour of hosts Brazil, who beat Argentina in a controversial semi-final on
their way to claiming the title.
Argentina, who last won the World Cup in 1986, kick off
their qualifying campaign with a double-header at home to Ecuador and away to
Bolivia.
(Reuters/NAN)
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