Lionel Messi has written in his appeal to FIFA over a ban for insulting the referee that his words ‘were just said in the air”.
The Argentine was visibly disappointed following a refereeing decision and reportedly began to swear at the official.
Barcelona’s star man was then given a four-match ban and will now appeal in an attempt to get it removed or lessened.
Messi missed the Bolivia game and he’ll also miss matches against Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru.
Argentina have struggled so far with qualification into the 2018 World Cup and now that is even more under threat.
The ban was the highest that FIFA could brandish and some seen it as harsh.
La Nacion: Messi in his written appeal to FIFA defended his linesman abuse by saying, "My words were just said in the air!"
I'm so done 😂 pic.twitter.com/0MTbVggBGZ
— M•A•J (@UltraSuristic_) March 29, 2017
Argentina in trouble
The Argentina national side are in grave danger of not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Without Messi, the side lost 2-0 to Bolivia which showcased just how in danger the side currently are in.
Even with Messi not in the side, Paulo Dybala is being left on the bench while Gonzalo Higuain hasn’t hit the ground running.