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Why Lionel Messi has been suspended by Paris Saint-Germain and docked wages

talksport.com, 3 May 2023, 10:43
In one of the most surprising stories of the season, Lionel Messi has been suspended by Paris Saint-Germain.

The French giants have banned the forward and docked the Argentine's wages.

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Why has Messi been suspended by PSG?

The 35-year-old has been severely punished for what has been described as an 'unauthorised' trip away from the club.

Messi was spotted in Saudi Arabia on a two-day visit earlier this month and his club are furious.

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Reports suggest the player is set to be docked two weeks' wages and has been told to stay away from the training ground while he is banned.

The French giants are yet to confirm it officially but Messi won't be playing in PSG's games against Troyes and Ajaccio, but should return for the match against Auxerre.

The trip to Saudi Arabia had nothing to do with PSG and has been described as a 'personal promotional trip'.

Messi did ask for permission, but PSG didn't respond and the football icon went anyway.

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PSG didn't even know where their star man was.

Messi is an ambassador for the Saudi Tourism Authority, but this trip was seen as a step too far and PSG have dished out a serious punishment.

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Messi was welcomed to Saudi Arabia by the country's tourism minister, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, who said in a tweet: "I am happy to welcome Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences.

"We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality."

Qatari Sports Investment own PSG and the relationship between Qatar and Saudi Arabia is extremely frosty.

The two countries are rivals in every sense of the word and the rivalry is very much geopolitical.

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Sports and football has become their latest dispute, so for Messi to be promoting Saudi tourism on an unauthorised trip is a big slap in the face for Qatar.

Therefore, it's not surprising that PSG have punished Messi so severely.

The Saudi Tourism Authority have now released a statement confirming what Messi did during his two days in the Middle East.

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They said: "Football icon and Saudi Tourism Ambassador Lionel Messi has returned to Saudi for a second time, this time with his family, to experience the country's unique blend of old and new, cultural, and cosmopolitan. Messi's visit to Saudi was packed with exciting activities, with something for everyone in the family."

Given the conflict between Qatar and Saudi Arabia in all aspects of life, to have Messi in Saudi Arabia on an unauthorised trip isn't a good look for PSG or QSI.

It's unclear what will happen now, but with Messi's deal at the Parc des Princes set to expire at the end of the season, it appears unlikely the Argentine hero will be staying in France too much longer.

Read full version: https://talksport.com/football/1413435/why-has-lionel-messi-been-suspended-by-psg-qatar-saudi-arabia/
  • Ajaccio
  • Auxerre
  • Football
  • Lionel Messi
  • Messi
  • Nasser Al-Khelaifi
  • Paris Saint Germain
  • Paris Saint-Germain
  • Play
  • PSG
  • Qatar
  • Qatari Sports Investment
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi Tourism Authority
  • Troyes

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