Argentina’s next opponents have enforced strict anti-Lionel Messi rule ahead of crunch World Cup qualifier

Paraguay chief Fernando Villasboa has declared home fans will be banned from wearing Lionel Messi shirts for their clash with Argentina.

Argentina face their South American rivals in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday night at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asuncion.

AFP

A whopping nine points separates the two teams in the table, with Argentina sitting top of the pile with 22 points having won seven out of their ten fixtures so far.

Meanwhile Paraguay are in sixth place with 13 points – currently occupying the final automatic qualifying spot.

And in their bid to remain above Bolivia and Venezuela, who sit one and two points behind respectively, Villasboa has announced a controversial rule.

The director of football for Paraguay has insisted any supporter bearing the name of Messi on either an international or club jersey will be refused entry.

He told Radio La Red via AS, he said: “Fans wearing jerseys of the Argentine national team, Barcelona, or Inter Miami with Messi’s name on them will not be allowed into the stadium.”

Villasboa continued: “No one is allowed to wear a jersey of the Argentine national team, of Argentine clubs, or of clubs with the names of players from other countries.

“We want to fill the Defensores del Chaco with the colours of the Albirroja, so the players can feel that support from the stands, as we are all part of this match, each in our own way.”

Villasboa would later stress that this ‘anti-Messi rule’ only applies to sections designated solely for home supporters, and not for the visiting Argentine fanbase.

He explained: “Those jerseys are acceptable in the visiting fans’ section, provided they have a ticket for it.

“But entry with such apparel is prohibited in Paraguayan sections.”

AFP

When commenting on how stadium security plan to enforce the measure, Villasboa remarked: “We’ll have checkpoints around the stadium perimeter and at entry gates to prevent unauthorised items.

“If anyone manages to bypass these measures, we’ll politely ask them to leave the area.

This isn’t the first time that Paraguay have taken such drastic managers against a rival national – and player – in the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign.

The measure was also taken against Brazil when the two countries met on September 11.

And that time it was Vinicius Jr who was singled out, with the Real Madrid star regarded as one of the world’s best wingers.

Paraguay ended up winning the match 1-0 thanks to a stunning trivela strike from Diego Gomez – Messi’s teammate at Inter Miami.

AFP

Around 35,000 fans are expected to be in attendance at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco for the encounter between Paraguay and Argentina.

The visitors have been granted just 1,700 tickets for the clash, with the remaining 33,300 going to the hosts.