PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain have suspended Lionel Messi for two weeks after the world champion made an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday.
The person who spoke to The Associated Press did not specify the duration of the punishment, although the French press reported that it would be two weeks. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak publicly on the matter.
The suspension means the striker will miss PSG’s next two games. It occurs at a delicate moment, since the club manages to extend the contract of the Argentine star beyond this season.
L’Equipe and RMC Sport reported the suspension without citing sources.
The person who spoke to the AP said that the Argentine star will not be able to train or play with the club. Neither will he earn salary during the validity of the sanction.
PSG had turned down Messi’s request to make the trip, the source said.
Messi, 35, has a commercial contract with Saudi Arabia to promote tourism in that Middle Eastern country.
The Argentine’s trip followed PSG’s surprise 3-1 loss to Lorient on Sunday. That left the defending champions just five points ahead of Marseille with five rounds remaining in the season. Messi played the whole game.
L’Equipe said PSG coach Christophe Galtier had promised the squad two days off — Monday and Tuesday — if they beat Lorient. Instead, the team trained on Monday and had Tuesday off.
The striker joined PSG from Barcelona a couple of years ago. He was expected to lead the French team to the Champions League, an unprecedented achievement for PSG.
Instead, the investor-backed side from Qatar were knocked out in the round of 16 in consecutive seasons.
Various conjectures have arisen about where Messi will play next, especially in light of reports that talks with PSG to extend the deal have broken down. Several PSG supporters have booed Messi in the midst of the irregular campaign.
In December, Messi led the Argentine team to the World Cup crown. He has scored 15 goals and leads the French league with 15 assists.
Messi has not issued comments on his social networks about the suspension.
He would miss the visit to Troyes next Sunday and the home game against Ajaccio on May 13. He could only reappear on the 21st against Auxerre.
