CONMEBOL rejects Lionel Messi’s Copa America criticism

TIL Desk Sports/ South American football governing body CONMEBOL on Sunday rejected claims from Argentina captain Lionel Messi that results at the Copa America in Brazil were fixed.

Messi said he and his team were the victims of “corruption” after the forward was sent off for an altercation with Gary Medel during the first half of Argentina’s 2-1 defeat of Chile in the third-place playoff on Saturday. Medel was also dismissed, having seemingly provoked the incident.

Messi also said the tournament was “set up” for Brazil, whose 2-0 semifinal defeat of Argentina was marked by refereeing controversies. In a brief statement, CONMEBOL described Messi’s comments as showing “a lack of respect”.

“The Copa America received all 12 national teams with the same professionalism and respect,” the organization said in a statement. “All teams were offered equal conditions of play and structure, with the sole purpose of seeing athletes and fans celebrating football with passion and fair play.