Barcelona have described Lionel Messi’s four-match international ban with Argentina as « unfair and totally disproportionate ».
The 29-year-old Barca forward was suspended for directing « insulting words » at an assistant referee during Thursday’s 1-0 win over Chile.
He remains free to play for his Spanish La Liga club.
In a statement, Barcelona expressed their « surprise and indignation » at the Fifa disciplinary ruling.
« The club considers the four-match suspension finally imposed on the Argentine player to be unfair and totally disproportionate, » the club said.
« Finally, FC Barcelona wishes to reiterate its support for Leo Messi, an exemplary player in terms of conduct both on and off the pitch. »
Messi’s suspension was announced just five and a half hours before Argentina’s 2-0 World Cup qualifier defeat by Bolivia on Tuesday.
The result saw them drop to fifth in the table, outside the top-four spots for automatic qualification for Russia 2018.
Messi is set to be banned for three of his country’s four remaining qualifiers.
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