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Lionel Messi's 4-Game Ban Called 'Strange' by Argentina Coach Edgardo Bauza

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Argentina manager Edgardo Bauza has criticised the timing of the confirmation of Lionel Messi's four-game international ban, suggesting it was a "strange" decision to announce it on the day of their game against Bolivia.

Indeed, CONMEBOL confirmed Messi would sit out the match in La Paz less than six hours before kick off after he used abusive language towards a match official during the team's 1-0 win over Chile last week, per BBC Sport. Bauza's side went on to lose 2-0 to Bolivia and the coach spoke of how distracting the saga was in the buildup.