The FIFA Disciplinary Committee's decision to ban Lionel Messi has received sharp criticism from his club FC Barcelona. The Spanish soccer club has called the Messi ban as "unfair and totally disproportionate." It has expressed "surprise and indignation" that the committee came to such a decision to ban the champion soccer player after the FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Argentina and Chile.

Leo Messi, who is generally considered as one of the most well-behaved players on the field, was suspended for four international matches after he allegedly abused the referee. The disciplinary committee applied articles 77 a) and 108 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code to come to the decision. The committee found the Argentine player guilty of violating art. 57 of the FDC, meaning he used "insulting words" at a referee.

The Messi ban of four matches comes with a fine of CHF 10,000 ($9,991). The four-match suspension started on March 28 in the FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Argentina and Bolivia. Leo will also miss Argentina's game against Uruguay on August 31, Venezuela on September 5 and Peru on October 5. "This decision is in line with the FIFA Disciplinary Committee's previous rulings in similar cases," FIFA said in a statement earlier.

This decision might turn out to critical for Argentina, which is currently struggling in the group to qualify for the 2018 soccer world cup in Russia. It is presently at the fifth position. Messi's club Barcelona's support must work as a morale booster for him. In a statement, the club reiterated its support for Messi, whom the club considers "an exemplary player in terms of conduct, both on and off the pitch."

Meanwhile, the discrimination that is allegedly involved in the Messi ban has got a fresh perspective. Messi's national teammate, Angel Di Maria, has said that he too shouted abuse at the referee. however, he said the officials only cared about Messi's reaction.