Messi appeals four-match World Cup ban at Fifa

Zurich: Lionel Messi’s appeal against a four-match ban in World Cup qualifying for insulting a referee’s assistant is being heard by Fifa. \

Messi, who is testifying by video, is not expected to get an immediate verdict.

The Fifa appeals panel typically gives a detailed verdict within weeks in non-urgent cases.

Argentina’s next World Cup qualifier is at Uruguay on August 31.

Messi already served one-match of the ban imposed when the Fifa disciplinary committee gave its ruling hours before Argentina’s 2-0 loss in Bolivia in March.

Fifa was able to ban Messi after match officials did not report the Argentina captain for verbally abusing a linesman late in a 1-0 win over Chile on March 23.