Copa America 2024 Controversy- Will CONMEBOL Fine Lionel Messi & Argentina After Jesse Marsch’s Plea

Calling for the CONMEBOL to impose a fine on Argentina for showing up late in the second half, Canada boss Jesse Marsch alleged that Lionel Messi and Co. were watching videos and analyzing how they wanted to continue the play. As per Marsch’s statement, the World Champions were late by an audacious 30-odd minutes to resume the Copa America opener. “There’d be a big problem. Let’s see what happens with Argentina. I think they have to be fined,” said the Canada boss. Marsch also expressed his disappointment at the match official for not calling out the Argentine team’s antics.

“Now, I wish again, the referees would manage that. If we were five minutes late, we’d get a fine,” he said. Will the CONMEBOL give Argentina the same treatment as the referees? Seems not. As per the federation’s regulations for Copa America, there is a high chance for Leo Messi’s side to take the heat.

Lionel Messi and Argentina risk a potential penalty in the coming days

After Marsch’s plea, several sources cited a CONMEBOL spokesperson and confirmed that the federation will review the incident and determine if a punishment is necessary. We’re yet to learn when the South American federation will review the World Champion’s antics. Marsch and the Canada team will probably have to wait till the end of the tournament to see how this story develops. While there might be a delay in the CONMEBOL’s review, its fair play regulations suggest that Lionel Messi and co. are at a high risk of receiving a punishment.

Per Article 145 of the CONEMBOL’s disciplinary regulations for Copa America, Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni risks a one-match suspension or a warning for the match delay. Besides, the first degree of Article 145 states that the team that has delayed the match can be liable to pay damages for harming the opposite party. Here, Argentina, notably, scored their two goals in the second half and defeated Canada. Furthermore, the second degree of the article suggests that any delay of more than 15 minutes can force the CONMEBOL to sanction the concerned team with a fine for each delayed minute.

Now, let’s look at a recent incident of a match delay and its aftermath.

Borussia Dortmund’s match delay controversy- a harsh lesson for Argentina

Earlier this month, the German side Borussia Dortmund had to pay a staggering $20,000-plus to the Bundesliga for delaying a match by one minute! There is only a bleak chance for the CONMEBOL to give Argentina such an intense punishment. But such a recent incident in the sport reveals that La Albiceleste is far from being off the hook.

Be that as it may, Lionel Messi and Argentina are not new to the CONMEBOL’s sanctions. Back in 2019, the Argentine skipper called out the CONMEBOL for their shortcomings in organizing that year’s Copa America and received a 3-month ban and a fine of $50,000. Last year, La Albicleste and the Brazil team received the federation’s sanctions for their fans’ misconduct during a game as well. What are your thoughts on these regulations? Sound off in the comments.