Lionel Messi is free to represent Argentina in their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers after his suspension for allegedly abusing an assistant referee was overturned on appeal.
The 29-year-old Barcelona striker was banned from four international matches and fined £8,100 for supposedly 'having directed insulting words' at an official during Argentina's World Cup qualifying meeting with Chile on March 23.
He was banned for the subsequent 2-0 loss to Bolivia as a result but will return to contention as under-performing Argentina prepare for crucial meetings with Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru as they fight to secure a place at next summer's World Cup finals in Russia.
A statement from the sport's world governing body FIFA published on Friday read: '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.' - Daily Mail
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