FIFA lifts Messi’s four-game ban

Lionel Messi’s four-match ban has been overturned by the world footballing body, FIFA, after reviewing his appeal on Friday.

The Argentine was suspended for verbally abusing assistant referee Dewson Silva during his country’s 1-0 win over Chile in a World Cup qualifier.

He was caught on camera saying: “f*** off, the c*** of your mother.”

In addition to the suspension, the 29-year-old Barcelona forward was fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (£8,111) after being reported to world football’s governing body.

FIFA, in a statement, said: “The FIFA appeal committee has upheld the appeal lodged by the Argentinian Football Association, on behalf of the player Lionel Messi, against the decision taken by the FIFA disciplinary committee, lifting the sanctions imposed on him as a result.”

Despite upholding Argentina’s appeal, the committee stressed it “considered Messi’s behaviour as reproachable” but concluded that “the evidence available was not sufficient to establish” an infringement had occurred.

“The Appeal Committee nevertheless underlines the importance of always showing respect to the match officials, stressing that such a principle is essential in football and any unsporting conduct that may be contrary to the principles of fair play cannot be accepted,” said the FIFA statement.

Messi missed Argentina’s 2-0 defeat to Bolivia as a result of his suspension but will now be available for the next international break.

Argentina’s qualification chances for the Russia World Cup has taken a massive boost with the decision of FIFA.

Messi is eligible to play in the upcoming fixtures against Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru.