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Lionel Messi hit with TWO-WEEK suspension by PSG following unsanctioned Saudi Arabia trip.
After making an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia, Lionel Messi has been given a two-week suspension by Paris Saint-Germain.
French outlet L’Equipe first reported on Tuesday afternoon that the Argentine forward had skipped a training session in order to visit the Middle East.
Messi is under contract with the Saudi Arabia tourist board and had previously cancelled two previous trips to the country due to PSG commitments.
He reportedly failed in his attempt to persuade head coach Christophe Galtier to change their timetable, so he skipped Monday’s training session in order to travel to Saudi Arabia. Following their appalling 3-1 loss to Lorient at home on Sunday, PSG decided to cancel the first team’s day off.
And according to RMC Sport, PSG decided to suspend Messi for two weeks for this choice, the first time a club has ever punished him in this way.
Messi will no longer be available for PSG’s upcoming two games.
The French champions will play Ajaccio the following Saturday after travelling to Troyes on Sunday.
PSG are five points clear of rivals Marseille at the top of Ligue 1 with only five games to go.