Football
Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent 7y

Lionel Messi to testify by video in appeal against FIFA ban - reports

Lionel Messi will testify via video link at a FIFA hearing in Zurich on Thursday in an attempt to get his international ban reduced, according to reports.

Messi was given a four-match ban for verbally abusing a match official during Argentina's World Cup qualifying game against Chile in March.

He served the first game of the ban in last month's qualifying defeat in Bolivia and will sit out games against Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru if the punishment is not overturned.

The Barcelona star had been expected to travel to Switzerland for the hearing, with Argentine Football Association (AFA) chief Claudio Tapia having urged him to make a personal appearance.

However, according to reports in Spain and Argentina, Messi has decided against travelling for "personal reasons" and will instead appear via link.

The AFA hopes to have the ban reduced with Argentina's place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia far from certain.

Messi returned to Barcelona training on Wednesday after Luis Enrique had given all his players Monday and Tuesday off as they prepare for Saturday's league match against Villarreal at the Camp Nou.

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