CONMEBOL have handed Lionel Messi a $1500 fine for his inflammatory comments about the federation’s “corruption” during this summer’s Copa America.
Additionally, the Argentina star will serve a one-game suspension for the red card he received against Chile in the competition’s third-place match.
Messi went off on the South American federation earlier this month, but they have responded with a negligible fine and no further suspension beyond the automatic one-game punishment (potentially the opening game of World Cup Qualifier 2022) for a red card.
After being sent off against Chile, Messi skipped the Copa America medal ceremony, clearly still upset about his red card in the third-place game and what transpired in his nation’s semi-final defeat to host country Brazil.
"There is no doubt, the whole thing is set up for Brazil," Messi charged after several controversial VAR decisions went against Argentina in the semi-final.
"I hope the VAR and referees don't play any part in the final and that Peru can compete but it looks tough to me.
"I did not want to be part of this corruption, we shouldn't have to be part of this disrespect we suffered during the Copa America.
"We could have gone further but we weren't allowed into the final. Corruption, referees and all the rest stopped people from enjoying the football.”