Copa America Organization Imposes Sanctions on AFA

The organization of the Copa America imposed a fine of $50,000 (about 45,000 euros) on the AFA for violating a series of rules that are stipulated equally for all teams, and that Argentina has been breaking one after another during these first days of the competition. The most evident one is the refusal for a player to appear before the media before the matches, something that happened before the match against Paraguay and repeated again on Monday with the match against Uruguay. Only Tata Martino appeared before the journalists, when the rule is very clear and says that a player must also do it.

That has not been the only license that the AFA has allowed itself. The most controversial one, which has emerged after the match against the Paraguayans, is that Messi refused to receive the MVP of the match for feeling frustrated after Lucas Barrios' late equalizer. Never before has there been a case like this, but the rule also says that there are sanctions for those who refuse to accept such distinction. It should be remembered that Messi already received the best player award at the last World Cup amidst controversy and without enthusiasm, an image he did not want to repeat against Paraguay but that has cost the AFA dearly.

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