Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi will have his four-match ban reduced, boosting his country's chances of qualifying for next year's World Cup, according to a televised report by Hernan Castillo of ESPN FC in Argentina.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was given a four-match ban in March after verbally assaulting an official in the World Cup qualifier against Chile on March 24.
Messi already served the first game of that ban vs. Bolivia on March 28. He currently has three games remaining to serve and Argentina has four remaining World Cup qualifiers. The ban was viewed as a massive blow for the team's chances of qualifying for the World Cup next year, as it currently sits in fifth place in CONMEBOL.
"There is somewhat of a promise from FIFA to the Argentine officials that the ban will be reduced," according to Castillo's report during the ESPN FC show in Argentina.
Messi's lawyer, Juan de Dios Crespo indicated that they "left feeling satisfied with the appeal."
"I think we did a very good job," De Dios Crespo told ESPN FC Radio in Argentina. "FIFA has asked us not to comment a lot on the subject. Once they announce their decision I will speak more.
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