FIFA uplift Lionel Messi ban for abuse of fourth official, making him free to play World Cup qualifiers

Zurich : FIFA on Friday overturned Barcelona star Lionel Messi`s four-game ban from international matches imposed for swearing at an assistant referee, saying there was not enough evidence to support the stiff punishment.

The U-turn is a major boost to Argentina`s hopes of reaching next year`s World Cup in Russia, with the South Americans struggling in regional qualifying.

FIFA said its appeal committee sided with a challenge filed on Messi`s behalf by the Argentine Football Association and lifted "the sanctions imposed on him as a result".

"Despite the fact that the FIFA Appeal Committee considered Lionel Messi`s behaviour as reproachable" it concluded "the evidence available was not sufficient" to justify a four-game ban.

In March the striker was found guilty of "having directed insulting words at an assistant referee" in a World Cup qualifier against Chile which Argentina won 1-0 thanks to a penalty from the Barcelona hitman.

Argentine football chief Armando Perez conceded that Messi "made a mistake", but argued that FIFA`s sanction was disproportionate.