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Lionel Messi Given 3-Month Ban After Claims Over Conmebol 'Corruption' During Copa America

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has been slapped with a three-month ban from international football, following comments he made claiming that the Copa América was being ruined by corruption within the South American Football Confederation.

The 32-year-old was left fuming after picking up an innocuous red card during Argentina's third-place play-off match against Chile, the latest in a long line of incidents which Messi felt went against him throughout the tournament.

"We don't have to be part of this corruption," Messi said at the time. "They have shown us a lack of respect throughout this tournament. Sadly, the corruption, the referees, they don't allow people to enjoy football, they ruined it a bit.