AKIPRESS.COM - Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been banned from international football for three months after claiming the Copa America was "corrupt", BBC reports.

Barcelona forward Messi, 32, was sent off in Argentina's 2-1 third-place play-off win over Chile and later said the "cup was fixed for Brazil".

He has also been fined $50,000 (£41,121) by Conmebol, the South American Football Confederation.

Messi has seven days to appeal Conmebol's decision to suspend him.

The ban means Messi will miss Argentina's upcoming friendlies against Chile, Mexico and Germany in September and October.