Copa America 2019: Messi Under Fire For Corruption Comment

South American football governing body, CONMEBOL has hit back at Argentine captain, Lionel Messi, after he accused the body of corruption.

Messi had reacted following his dismissal during their 2-1 victory in the third place play-off against Chile on Saturday.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was involved in a tangle with Chile captain, Gary Medel, in which Messi appeared to do nothing wrong, but both players were given their marching orders by Referee Mario Diaz de Vivar.

“Corruption and the referees are preventing people from enjoying the football and they’re ruining it a bit.

“I think there’s no doubt that Brazil is going to be champions. The Copa is weighted towards Brazil,” the Barcelona ace said.

But CONMEBOL said in a statement: “It’s unacceptable that as a result of incidents that are a regular part of competition … unfounded and untrue accusations have been launched that call into question the integrity of the Copa America.”