Messi banned from int’ls for 3 months for ‘corruption’ outburst

Maguire move to United would be incredible business – Rodgers

ASUNCION, Paraguay, Aug 3, (RTRS): Argentina’s Lionel Messi has been banned from international duty for three months and fined $50,000 after levelling accusations of “corruption” at South American soccer chiefs during the Copa America.

Messi was sent off against in the Copa America third-place playoff and afterwards alleged that the tournament had been fixed in favour of hosts Brazil, who beat Argentina in a controversial semifinal on their way to the title.

The Argentina captain called the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) “corrupt” and did not attend the ceremony to pick up his medal. He was handed a one-match ban and a $1,500 fine for his sending off last month.

CONMEBOL had said that the Barcelona forward’s comments were “unacceptable”.

“The player is suspended to play official and friendly matches with his national team in that period of time,” the organisation said in a statement on Friday.

The ban means Messi will miss Argentina’s upcoming friendlies against Chile and Mexico in the United States in September and another against Germany in Dortmund on Oct 9.

He can appeal against the latest sanctions within seven days.

Messi

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has described their England center-back Harry Maguire as a “special player” they do not want to lose but conceded they have no choice after Manchester United met the Midlands club’s valuation.

British media reported on Friday that United had reached an agreement with fellow Premier League team Leicester to sign the 26-year-old England