Last Updated: May 06, 2023, 01:58 IST
The affair has made it more and more unlikely that Messi will stay at PSG past this season, when his two-year contract with the membership expires. (AP)
He was suspended by the Qatar-owned membership after failing to show up for coaching on Monday, a day after their 3-1 dwelling defeat by Lorient in Ligue 1
Lionel Messi on Friday apologised for occurring an unauthorised journey to Saudi Arabia that led to Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain being suspended by his membership Paris Saint-Germain.
“I need to apologise clearly to my teammates and to the membership,” Messi said in a video posted on Instagram to his 458 million followers.
He was suspended by the Qatar-owned club after failing to turn up for training on Monday, a day after their 3-1 home defeat by Lorient in Ligue 1.
Instead, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner travelled to Saudi Arabia without PSG’s permission to fulfil commitments as part of a contract with the country’s tourist office.
“I honestly thought we were going to have the day off after the match as had happened in the previous weeks,” he stated.
“I had organised this journey to Saudi Arabia having cancelled it beforehand. This time I couldn’t cancel it. I’m sorry for what I did and I wait to see what the membership decides to do.”
The affair has made it increasingly unlikely that Messi will remain at PSG beyond this season, when his two-year contract with the club expires.
A source with knowledge of the disciplinary procedure told AFP that Messi would be sidelined for “several days”, and he’s subsequently set to play no half in PSG’s match towards Troyes this weekend in Ligue 1.
Various media in France stated he can be suspended for two weeks, though AFP has not been in a position to affirm these stories.
PSG, who’re 5 factors clear on the high of Ligue 1, can have simply 4 extra matches remaining this season following their recreation towards Troyes.
“We will see when Leo comes again. We will see what occurs. Obviously there might be discussions with the membership as an entire but additionally with Leo as a result of this considerations him in the beginning,” PSG coach Christophe Galtier said on Friday when asked if Messi would play for the team again.
Galtier also said that the decision to suspend the 35-year-old Messi was not his to take in the first place.
“It wasn’t my decision to take. I was informed of the decision and I defer to it,” he insisted.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)
