Published on 12:00 AM, March 30, 2017

Messi 4-match ban unfair: Barcelona

Argentina's Lionel Messi (C) battle with Uruguay's Jorge Fucile. File Photo: Reuters

Lionel Messi's four-match international ban for swearing at an assistant referee was "unfair and totally disproportionate", his Spanish club Barcelona said Wednesday.

"FC Barcelona expresses its surprise and indignation at the decision by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to suspend Leo Messi following the FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture between Argentina and Chile," Barca said in a statement.