‘Lionel Messi faces potential ban’ following Argentina outburst – Insider
Keith Hackett believes that action can be expected against Argentina captain Lionel Messi for his half-time outburst during their recent defeat against Paraguay.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former PGMOL chief, ex-FIFA, and Premier League referee revealed that he expects the referee to “report the behaviour.”
The Argentina forward was frustrated at the decision not to give Omar Alderete a second yellow card during the first half, which he felt was the correct decision.
Messi appeared to say, “You’re a coward, I don’t like you” as he made his feelings toward referee Anderson Daronco perfectly clear while wagging his finger.
The actions of the 37-year-old shocked many football fans, but Hackett believes that by the FIFA handbook there could be punishments coming down the line for the MLS star.
Argentina could be without Lionel Messi moving forward after his actions
Hackett told Football Insider, “[Should we expect action?] Yep.
“There’s no question that he might be annoyed by the referee’s performance, but he can’t do that.
“Therefore, I’d expect the referee to report the behaviour, then the authorities to take that on board.
“Certainly, in Europe, that’d be a special incident report, and the authorities would then act.”
In other news, Jude Bellingham: Keith Hackett drops ‘reckless’ verdict as footage analysed.
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