New Delhi l Jagran Sports Desk: Star Argentine and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi won't be featuring in the very first qualifying match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The Forward was suspended by South American soccer's governing body CONMEBOL and charged him a fine of USD 1500.

CONMEBOL said its decision on Tuesday resulted from Messi's red card during Argentina's 2-1 win over Chile. Messi received a red card in the match after an altercation with Gary Medel who ejected him during the 37th minute (he too received a red card) on July 6 in the third-place match of the Copa America 2019.

A tweet read: 

South American qualification matches for the 2022 Qatar World Cup begins March next year.

The decision did not mention Messi's recent jibe against the Copa America organization. He has said there was corruption in the tournament but he later apologized CONMEBOL for his comments. The governing body didn't say anything to the five times player of the year.

In another decision, the South American governing body removed Head of Argentine football association, Claudio Tapia as their office FIFA representative. He had sharply criticized CONMEBOL during and after Copa America.

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Posted By: James Kuanal