Messi's ban lifted after successful appeal
The FIFA appeal committee has upheld the appeal lodged by the Argentinian Football Association, on behalf of the player Lionel Messi, against the decision taken by the FIFA disciplinary committee, lifting the sanctions imposed on him as a result. The 29-year-old Barcelona striker was banned from four international matches and fined 10,000 Swiss francs (£8,100) for "having directed insulting words" at an official during Argentina's World Cup qualifying meeting with Chile on March 23. However, Messi said he did not mean to offend the official; it was his anger that made him use a foul-mouthed outburst at an assistant referee. Messi missed the 2-0 defeat to Bolivia as a result of his suspension - but will now be available for the next international break. The Barcelona front man will play in the upcoming fixtures against Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru. He is free to help Argentina qualify for the World Cup in 2018.
