Lionel Messi could face four-game ban for Barcelona red card as Griezmann ‘sheds’

Ronald Koeman has defended Lionel Messi after the Argentine star received the first red card of his Barcelona career.

Messi could face a four-match ban after being sent off for wiping out Athletic Bilbao’s Asier Villalibre in Sunday’s Spanish Supercopa final.

Barca lost 3-2 after wasting a two-goal lead given by Antoine Griezmann, who later said he was “screwed” by what happened at Sevilla.

Koeman said he can understand Messi’s frustration, saying the 33-year-old has consistently been fouled in the clash against Athletic.

“I can understand what Messi did,” Koeman said as quoted by ESPN.

“I don’t know how many times they’ve done it, and it’s okay to react when they keep trying to foul you as a player looking to dribble with the ball, but I need to review properly. “

Messi will now be suspended for two matches, but the ban could be doubled when the competition committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation meets this week to discuss it.

The forward will miss the Copa de Rey trip on Thursday to face third-tier Cornella and Sunday’s La Liga game in Elche.

He could also miss the next Copa round if Barca progress, and Bilbao’s La Liga visit on January 31.

Messi had managed a late comeback to start Sunday’s Supercopa final, after missing out on the semi-final victory over Real Sociedad.

Barca had entered the game unbeaten in nine games in all competitions, and looked set to make 10 when Griezmann struck twice.

But the French striker was denied his first trophy since joining Barca after Bilbao battled with goals from Oscar De Marcos, Villalibre and Inaki Williams.

“I’m pissed off, angry, annoyed,” Griezmann told reporters after the loss.

“I have all the bad feelings you can have after losing a final. We made mistakes on set pieces, we defended poorly, we didn’t talk about free kicks. These are important details.”

Messi’s first red card in 753 for Barcelona was the fourth in his career overall. He was sent off twice for Argentina, most notably on his debut in 2005, and was sacked in a Barca B game the same year.