Argentina v Chile - World Cup 2018 Qualifiers - Antonio Liberti Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina - 23/3/17 - Argentina's Lionel Messi (L) and Chile's Jose Pedro Fuenzalida in action. REUTERS/Martin Acosta
(Reuters) - Barcelona have condemned FIFA's decision to impose a four-match international ban on striker Lionel Messi for verbally abusing a match official in Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Chile last week.
Messi was dealt the suspension and a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs (8,104 pounds) by FIFA's disciplinary panel and is due to miss three more of Argentina's remaining four World Cup qualifiers after sitting out Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Bolivia.
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