Lionel Messi banned from next four competitive internationals

Argentina forward Lionel Messi has been banned from their next four competitive internationals starting with the World Cup's qualifier in Bolivia for swearing at a match official.

FIFA said, the decision means the five-times world player of the year will play in only one of Argentina's remaining five World



Cup qualifiers. FIFA said Messi had directed insulting words at an assistant referee during the 1-0 win over Chile on Friday.

Messi, 29, will also miss games away to Uruguay and home to Venezuela and Peru. The Barcelona forward will be eligible again when Argentina visit Ecuador on 10th October.