The Argentine talisman is facing a potential two-year ban after he called the Copa America officials 'corrupt'.
Messi, who previously complained bitterly about the officiating witnessed in their semi-final loss to Brazil, aimed another dig after he was shown the marching orders in their third-place playoff against Chile having got into a physical exchange with Chile’s Gary Medel in the 36th minute.
After the game, the Barcelona wizard expressed his disgust about the whole process of the tournament as he thinks it was planned for Brazil to win the accolade.
“There is no doubt, the whole thing is set up for Brazil. I hope the VAR and referees don’t play any part in the final and that Peru can compete but it looks tough to me.
“I did not want to be part of this corruption, we shouldn’t have to be part of this disrespect we suffered during the Copa America. We could have gone further but we weren’t allowed into the final. Corruption, referees and all the rest stopped people from enjoying the football.
“I always tell the truth and I’m honest, that is what keeps me calm if what I say has repercussions that is not my business. I think that what happened is because of what I said [against Brazil]. What I said last time perhaps came back to haunt me. With a yellow card that was the end of it.”
A statement by CONMEBOL after the ranted speeches of Lionel Messi stressed;
"In football sometimes you win and sometimes you lose and accepting the outcome of a match with loyalty and respect is a fundamental pillar of fair play. Same goes to the refereeing decisions, that are human and will never be perfect.
"It's unacceptable that because of incidents proper to the competitions, where 12 Nations competed in, all in equal condition, there have been unfounded accusations that misrepresent the truth and put to judgement the integrity of Copa America.
"Said accusations represent a lack of respect for the competition, all the football players involved and the hundreds of professionals of CONMEBOL, institution that since 2016 has been tirelessly working to transparent, professionalize and develop South American football."
Should the 32-year-old suffer the consequences of his actions, he will miss qualification for the 2022 World Cup and next year's Copa America to be played in both Argentina and Colombia.
