Even criticism can get you thrown off the field and fined, according to CONMEBOL, the South American soccer governing body.
Such is the case for Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi, who will be suspended for three months and must pay a fine of $50,000 for publicly criticising the organisation during the Copa América.
Per The New York Times, Messi was incensed by several CONMEBOL incidents during the Copa, including one that saw Argentina denied two penalty claims in a semifinal loss against Chile. The player noted Brazil was “managing a lot in CONMEBOL these days,” and later stated that “corruption and the referees are preventing people from enjoying the football, and they’re ruining it a bit.”
The comments also followed a widely-disputed red card for Messi; his first time in 14 years being thrown off the field.
Goal.com notes that the three-month ban will primarily see Messi miss friendly matches against Chile and Mexico in September, as well as Germany in October, though he will be eligible to return in November. Argentina’s next competitive match is in March as part of the South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup that will hold in Qatar. He will also miss that first match as part of a one-game ban stemming from the red card.
Yeah, free speech may be free but it sure carries consequences.
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