Lionel Messi to escape punishment despite Barcelona star's two separate bust-ups against Manchester City

Uefa says it will not take action against the Argentine as there was no mention of his conduct in official reports following fiery Champions League tie

George Cooper
Thursday 03 November 2016 14:35 GMT
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Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi

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Lionel Messi is set to escape any disciplinary action for his outbursts at Manchester City despite the Barcelona superstar being involved in two separate altercations at the Etihad Stadium.

More details are emerging of Messi’s alleged confrontations during and after the game as City beat Barcelona 3-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The Daily Mirror reports Messi confronted and shouted at referee Viktor Kassai in the tunnel at half-time after he failed to award the away side a penalty for a foul by Fernandinho.

Messi also needed to be placated by Sergio Aguero at full-time after attempting to square up to a Manchester City player in the dressing room.

However, Uefa said in a statement: “Nothing was mentioned in official reports, therefore no disciplinary action has been taken.”

Various reports in Spanish media have suggested the Argentine, whose free-kick had put Barcelona ahead in the first half, was furious at full-time, leading to a tunnel altercation. This has been strenuously denied by Manchester City.

Aguero revealed that Messi was emotional at full-time. He said: “Whenever you lose you’re not very happy. I saw him there, he was feeling bad. I know him well enough to know when he’s bad, when he’s good. But when you lose, nobody’s good!

Manchester City players celebrate with Kevin de Bruyne after the Belgian put the home side ahead against Barcelona
Manchester City players celebrate with Kevin de Bruyne after the Belgian put the home side ahead against Barcelona (Getty)

“I thought Messi said something to me but he didn’t, and then we talked about other stuff. It was nothing serious. I heard something but I don’t know what happened.

“When someone loses you have to respect them. Leo wasn’t in the mood to talk and I respect that.”

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