Defiant Messi battles referee, COPA America body

Messi is not hiding his anger at what he sees as corruption in the COPA America finals in which his country finished third.
Argentina beat Chile 2-1 on Saturday but he experienced a raw deal as he was sent off alongside Chile’s Gary Medel after what he (Messi) believes should be a yellow card offence.
He said he was the target of the decision.
Although his country won the match, Messi insisted that the red card for him was an act of corruption and vindictiveness.
He said the powers that be dealt with him based on his earlier criticism of the competition, especially two penalty kicks that, he said, were denied during their earlier match against Brazil.
Messi said, “It’s a play that happens a lot. [Medel] always plays to the limit. I think the referee overreacted. With a yellow card for both of us, everything would be over. I feel lot of anger because I think I did not deserve that red card because I think we were playing a very good game.
We were ahead, but, as I said recently, unfortunately there is a lot of corruption, the referees. … We leave with the feeling that they did not allow us to be in the final, that we were ready for better. Brazil’s match and today’s match were our two best performances, but then when you are sincere, you say things and these things happen” he said.
Asked directly if his red card was a result of his previous complaints, Messi said: “Yes, unfortunately, yes. You cannot be honest, and you cannot say how things should be done.
As a result of the expulsion, Messi faces a suspension for Argentina’s opening World Cup qualifier in March. He said he was not concerned about an additional ban for his strong post-match comments.
“They can do whatever they want. The truth must be said. I leave calmly and with the head high and proud of this group that gave everything and that was growing through the tournament. I hope that this group is respected and that people support them because they have a lot to give, as they showed in these games” he said.
Meanwhile, the organizers have refuted Messi’s claims.
They noted in a statement:
“In football, sometimes you lose and sometimes you win. One of the fundamental pillars of fair play is to accept the results with respect. The same applies for the refereeing decisions which are human and can always be improved.
“It’s unacceptable that as a result of incidents that are a regular part of competition, where 12 teams compete on equal terms, unfounded and untrue accusations have been launched that call into question the integrity of the Copa America.
“These accusations represent a lack of respect to the competition, to all the participating players and to the hundreds of professionals of the CONMEBOL, an institution that since 2016 has been working tirelessly to make transparent, professionalize and develop South American football.”