FIFA's Appeal Committee has lifted a four-match international ban imposed on Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi for insulting an assistant referee. "Despite the fact that the FIFA Appeal Committee considered Lionel Messi's behavior as reproachable, the former concluded that the evidence available was not sufficient to establish...(sanctions) could be applied," the committee said in a statement Friday. It upheld an appeal brought by the Argentinian Football Association on behalf of the player who was suspended for insulting a match official during his country's 1-0 win over Chile in March. The incident was not punished during the game and the official, a Brazilian, said he not realize at the time that Messi was swearing at him. Neymar, Barcelona ordered to stand trial for corruption Brazilian forward Neymar faces a corruption trial in Spain in connection with the value placed on his 2013 transfer from Santos to Barcelona, the Spanish National High Court said Thursday. The defendants in the pending trial are the player, his parents, the two clubs, current and former Barcelona presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, and former Santos president Odilio Rodrigues, according to a court statement. Bartomeu, Rosell, Barcelona and Santos also face trial on fraud charges, along with former Santos president Odilio Rodrigues, the statement said. "We are very happy as this was a favorable decision for us," Altamiro Bezerra, an advisor to NN Consultoria said. "It has eliminated the question of fraud in the contracts and we are also certain that we will be absolved of corruption." Portugal to bring in video refereeing Video refereeing will be used in all matches in the Portuguese championship next season, just the latest country to bring in technology to help beleaguered officials. The Portuguese football federation (FPF) said Thursday it hoped the move will end disputes, particularly between major clubs Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica. "We are convinced that it will be very important in reducing the margin of error," Fernando Gomes, chairman of the FPF, said in a statement. The technology will be given its first major test in the final of the Portuguese Cup between Benfica and Vitoria Guimaraes on May 28. football has been slow to embrace video technology in comparison with sports such as cricket and American football, but it is now quickly gaining traction. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last month that video assistant referees will be used at next year's World Cup in Russia for the first time. Video technology will also be used for the first time in France in the end-of-season play-offs this month, while Australia's A-League is also embracing it and there have been tests in Germany, Brazil, Italy and the Netherlands. — Agencies
