Messi banned 4 matches for aiming profane tirade at official

FIFA hit Argentina captain Lionel Messi with a four-match ban Tuesday for his foul-mouthed tirade at an assistant referee in last Thursday's 1-0 World Cup qualification win over Chile in Buenos Aires.

The suspension has been immediately imposed for Tuesday's vital trip to Bolivia's high-altitude Estadio Hernando Siles. Argentina's currently third in the CONMEBOL standings, just two points above both Ecuador in the playoff spot and sixth-place Chile.

Messi will then serve a further three competitive matches on the sidelines against Uruguay, Venezuela, and Peru. He will be available for the friendly with rival Brazil in Melbourne, Australia on June 9.

(Photo courtesy: @ESPNStatsInfo)

Referee Sandro Ricci didn't include the incident in his post-match report, according to the Associated Press, but football's world governing body was alerted to television coverage of an evidently angered Barcelona star.

Messi was additionally punished with a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs, but gave his country a parting gift of three points when he converted a 16th-minute penalty and eventual winner in the clash with Chile.

Argentina manager Edgardo Bauza released his starting XI for the intimidating test in Bolivia on Monday, revealing various changes, including the decision to partner Messi with Sao Paulo's Lucas Pratto in attack:

The late exclusion of Messi sends Bauza back to the drawing board, with Sergio Aguero - who started in the Chile win - and Paulo Dybala pushing for inclusion.

Seleccion Argentina secretary Jorge Miadosqui has vowed to appeal Messi's ban, and revealed that the forward was saddened by the verdict.