FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi could be suspended for up to 12 matches after he was dismissed for violent conduct during Sunday s Super Cup Final defeat to Athletic Bilbao.
Messi was sent off for the first time in his Barcelona career after being handed his marching orders during Sunday s 3-2 defeat to Athletic after lashing out at opponent Asier Villalibre in the dying minutes of extra time.
In the referees post-match report, match official Gil Manzano described the 33-year-old s dismissal as a consequence of hitting an opponent with his arm using excessive force while the ball was in play but not at a distance from being played, per Marca.