Audio By Carbonatix
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been suspended by Paris St-Germain for two weeks after travelling to Saudi Arabia without the club's permission this week.
The trip followed the French club's home defeat by Lorient on Sunday, in which Messi played the full 90 minutes.
Messi will not train or play for PSG during the period of his suspension.
It is understood the 35-year-old asked permission to make the journey to carry out commercial work but was refused.
Messi, who has also been fined by the club, has a role as a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia.
The World Cup winner's two-year contract with PSG expires this summer.
Barcelona vice-president Rafael Yuste claimed in March that the Spanish club were in contact with Messi about a return to the Nou Camp.
Messi has scored 31 goals and contributed 34 assists in 71 games in all competitions for PSG, and won the Ligue 1 title last season.
He is set to miss matches against Troyes and Ajaccio as PSG, five points clear with five games to go, look to clinch a ninth league title in 11 seasons.
Latest Stories
-
The cocoa conundrum: Why Ghana’s farmers are poor despite making the world’s best chocolate
1 hour -
Powerful cyclone kills at least 31 as it tears through Madagascar port
2 hours -
GoldBod summons 6 gold service providers over compliance exercise
2 hours -
Power disruption expected in parts of Accra West as ECG conducts maintenance
2 hours -
Police investigate alleged arson attack at Alpha Hour Church
3 hours -
Heavy Sunday downpour wrecks Denyaseman SHS, schools, communities in Bekwai Municipality
3 hours -
Ridge Hospital is in critical condition – GMTF Boss appeals to corporate Ghana
3 hours -
Introduce long term measures to tackle challenges in cocoa sector – IERPP to government
3 hours -
Agricultural Economist proposes blended financing model to support cocoa sector
4 hours -
NPP MP warns against reducing producer price as government rolls out cocoa reforms
4 hours -
Tano North MP urges halt to grain exports over food glut
4 hours -
Farmers hopeful as government moves to expedite cocoa payments
5 hours -
Tensions at Agbogbloshie market women oppose AMA drain cleaning exercise, items confiscated
5 hours -
Lyse Doucet: In Tehran, rallies for Iran’s revolution overshadowed by discontent and defiance
5 hours -
Education Minister orders full audit of free sanitary pads in schools over quality concerns
5 hours