Lionel Messi has given support to his countryman Ezequiel Lavezzi, who reporters accused of smoking weed before the match between Argentina and Columbia. The famous No. 10 spearheaded his teams media boycott as a punishment to journalists after the match.
The “suspect” has also threatened to file a lawsuit against his accusers.
According to reports, Lavezzi was said to have smoked marijuana at the team’s training base prior to the tensed match against their South American rivals.
During the match which was played Tuesday night in San Juan, Barcelona star Lionel Messi scored one and offered two assists as they disgracefully thrashed their opponents.
The match ended 3-0 in favor of the Argentines but all players refused to grant interviews.
Image shows a group of Argentina international footballers led by the team captian Lionel Messi.
Messi, 29, said in an official statement: “We’re here to let you know that we will no longer be communicating with the Press.
“The accusations that were made towards Lavezzi were huge. We regret that it has to be this way but we have no other choice. We know that many of you don’t play that game.
“We were accused a lot. No respect was being shown and we never said anything. But this accusation against Lavezzi was it.
“If we don’t stop it today, we’ll never stop it. We know that you will continue to criticise us, that’s fine. However, some got into our personal lives.”
Image: Ezequiel Lavezzi
Some Twitter posts from a journalist were written in Spanish. Here’s a translation:
Lavezzi is off the bench tomorrow for the share he was smoking last night in the camp? I am asking… just asking
– Gabriel Anello (@anellogaby) November 15, 2016
Lavezzi smokes his second joint in the camp and the “unpresentable” is who says … We have the selection and players we deserve
– Gabriel Anello (@anellogaby) November 15, 2016
Lavezzi se fuma su segundo porro en la concentración y el “impresentable” es quien los dice … Tenemos la selección y jugadores q merecemos
— Gabriel Anello (@anellogaby) November 15, 2016
Wise decision from the coach as Ezequiel Lavezzi was not selected among the substitutes. He was seen resting in the stands with friends.
According to the local news reporter, Lavezzi, who currently plays for Hebei China Fortune, was left out of the squad after he was caught taking cannabis prior to the tie.
