"Shocking" Lionel Messi: "Argentina captain gets 4-match ban for telling linesman to 'f*** off"

During the incident, Messi is said to have told the linesman Michael van Gasse 'f*** off, your mother's a ****.

FIFA have banned Argentina captain Lionel Messi for four matches after an incident during their 1-0 win over Chile in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chile on Thursday, March 23.

During the incident, Messi is said to have told the linesman Michael van Gasse 'f*** off, your mother's a ****.

The Argentina captain has also been fined £8,100.

Messi got the ban just six hours before kick-off in Argentina's crucial qualifier away to Bolivia in La Paz.

The Barcelona star scored the only goal in thew 1-0 win over Chile from the penalty spot.