Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has been banned from playing for his national team for 3 months and fined 50,000 dollars after heavily criticizing CONMEBOL during the 2019 Copa America.

Messi had accused the South American football governing body of “corruption” for 2 incidents during the June-July Copa America, which was hosted by bitter rivals Brazil.

Argentina were denied 2 penalty claims in their 2-0 semi-final defeat to the hosts. Then, the 32-year-old striker was sent off, during the third-place play-off match against Chile in Brazil.

The statement by CONMEBOL didn’t specify why Messi was being punished, but said it was related to its disciplinary regulations. 

The ban means Messi will miss Argentina’s upcoming friendlies against Chile, Mexico and Germany in September and October. However, he will be with his team in the South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, which will begin in March next year.