Lionel Messi Ban: Barcelona Star Could be Suspended For up to 12 Games. Following Red-Card in Spanish Super Cup Final
Lionel Messi could face a 12-match ban for picking up his first-ever red-card in club football for Barcelona on Sunday in the Spanish Super Cup final. Messi lost his cool in the dying minutes of the high-octane game and hit his opponent while looking to pass the ball against Athletic Bilbao.
It was a moment that made a bad night even worse for Barcelona as Lionel Messi was shown a red card late in extra-time for swinging a punch at Athletic Club Bilbao striker Asier Villalibre.
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The match referee in his match report mentioned that Messi used ‘excessive force’ on his opponent while the ball was not near him. The matter will be looked into and decided by the Spanish soccer federation committee. Messi’s suspension could range from one to three matches or four to 12 matches based on how severe the committee finds the act.
The incident took place in the 121st-minute of the match when Lionel Messi lost his cool while passing the ball as Asier Villalibre came in his path. It was a right hook in the back of the head that knocked down the Bilbao forward.
The incident was spotted by VAR (Video assistant referees) and the Argentine was shown the red card as Ronald Koeman’s side slipped to a defeat in the Spanish Supercopa final.
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Sources revealed that Barcelona is preparing their arguments for the case involving Messi. Barcelona are preparing to go to courtroom war. Not really, but the club are reportedly and obviously working on a plan to attempt to reduce any ban Lionel Messi receives.
If the move is considered to have been “aggressive”, the ban for Messi could be anything between four and 12 matches, while if it did not meet that description then it would be anything between one and three games.
Messi has now gotten red-carded three times in his career. The first time in 2005 in his Argentina debut vs. Hungary. The second time in 2019 once more with Argentina, this time vs. Chile at the Copa America. And the third for Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao.
It was the player’s first red card for Lionel Messi in his 753rd appearance for the club.
Barca and the rest of us would be surprised if this ban is anything more than two matches after the dust settles. However, crazier things have happened. Although, Messi heading towards the end of his contract with Barca losing, and him seeing red isn’t great.
It is believed that Messi would be leaving Camp Nou at the end of the season and Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain emerge as frontrunners to get the services of the Argentine.
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