(Paris) Paris Saint-Germain has opened disciplinary proceedings against its Argentine star Lionel Messi, who will be suspended several days after a trip to Saudi Arabia made without the agreement of his club, AFP learned from source with knowledge of the matter on Tuesday.
While several media, including RMC and L’Équipe, are talking about a two-week suspension, the source interviewed by AFP did not confirm this duration of suspension, saying that the Argentinian would be absent “several days”.
Another source close to the club said that the management would “probably” suspend Messi for two weeks, noting that “no one is above the institution”.
“He can’t train, he can’t play and he’s not being paid while the disciplinary process continues,” the source with knowledge of the case continued.
The Ballon d’Or was absent after Sunday’s defeat against Lorient in Ligue 1 (3-1), and missed PSG training on Monday. He had been seen in Saudi Arabia, as part of a contract with the country’s tourist office, which he regularly promotes on his social networks.
The Parisians face Troyes on Sunday (8:45 p.m.) for the 34th day of Ligue 1, a match that the reigning world champion could miss if this two-week suspension were to be confirmed.
Anyway, the captain of the Albicelestes will not participate in Wednesday’s training session in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, said the source with knowledge of the file interviewed by AFP.
This disciplinary procedure comes at a decisive moment for Messi’s future at PSG, because the latter, rather tasteless in recent weeks on the lawns, is at the end of his contract with the club of the French capital.
The 35-year-old has scored 15 goals this season in Ligue 1, his second season at PSG.