'I SAID IT TO THE AIR'

Lionel Messi has refuted allegations that he had abused an assistant referee during Argentina's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Chile, an offence for which he was banned for four games and fined 10,000 Swiss Francs. The ban means that the Argentine ace will not be able to represent his side until November. However, in an interview with Argentinian newspaper La Nacion, Messi said: "My comments were never directed at the assistant, they were comments made to the air," he said. Speaking to the air is a common expression in Argentina, which alludes to people voicing their frustration at nobody in particular. This was also the explanation that the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) sent to FIFA in an effort to clear their captain of any wrongdoing. A journalist who had access to the statement sent from the AFA added there was a note attached to the AFA's statement by Messi.    —Agencies