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7th July 2019
11:27am BST

"Because we don't have to be part of this corruption, this lack of respect towards the whole Copa." Messi added: "I always tell the truth. That leaves me calm. Then, if what I say has repercussions, it is not to do with me as I am always sincere."https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/lionel-messi-gary-medel-sent-off-copa-america-altercation-203750 CONMEBOL fired back at the Barcelona star in a statement and said that the forward's accusations represent a lack of respect for the competition, all the football players involved and the hundreds of professionals of CONMEBOL
"In football sometimes you win and sometimes you lose and accepting the outcome of a match with loyalty and respect is a fundamental pillar of fair play. Same goes to the refereeing decisions, that are human and will never be perfect," the statement read . "It's unacceptable that because of incidents proper to the competitions, where 12 nations competed in, all in equal condition, there have been unfounded accusations that misrepresent the truth and put to judgement the integrity of Copa America. "Said accusations represent a lack of respect for the competition, all the football players involved and the hundreds of professionals of CONMEBOL, an institution that since 2016 has been tirelessly working to professionalise and develop South American football."
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