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Lionel Messi has been cleared to play in Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Bolivia in October.
The Barcelona captain had been expected to sit out the game against Ecuador due to suspension after being sent off in the Copa America third-place play-off against Chile.
However, Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia has looked into the matter and been told the statute of limitations has run out on the ban and Messi is free to play.
El Presidente de la @afa, Claudio Tapia, elevó una consulta a @CONMEBOL sobre la sanción que debía cumplir el capitán de @Argentina Lionel Messi ante Ecuador y tras haberse cumplido un año, @agdws le confirmó que la misma ha prescrito y se encuentra disponible para la doble fecha pic.twitter.com/rWcvaMI0fo
— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) September 10, 2020
Messi picked up the red card for a clash with Gary Medel and was furious after the match, accusing officials of bias towards hosts Brazil.