CONMEBOL HITS BACK AT MESSI STATEMENT

CONMEBOL responded to allegations of corruption as they labelled Lionel Messi's comments "unacceptable" and "unfounded" at the Copa America.

Argentina defeated Chile 2-1 in the third-place play-off on Saturday, but Messi railed against "corruption" and "a lack of respect" following his red card against the two-time reigning champions.

Messi – who was controversially dismissed in the first half after an altercation with Gary Medel – vented his frustration post-match, having criticised the officiating following Argentina's semi-final loss to hosts Brazil.

The Argentina captain's allegations angered the South American football governing body, which hit back in a statement.

"In football sometimes you win and sometimes you lose and accepting the outcome of a match with loyalty and respect is a fundamental pillar of fair play. Same goes to the refereeing decisions, that are human and will never be perfect," the statement read.

"It's unacceptable that because of incidents proper to the competitions, where 12 Nations competed in, all in equal condition, there have been unfounded accusations that misrepresent the truth and put to judgement the integrity of Copa America.

"Said accusations represent a lack of respect for the competition, all the football players involved and the hundreds of professionals of CONMEBOL, institution that since 2016 has been tirelessly working to transparent, professionalize and develop South American football."

Messi was dismissed when Chile's Medel reacted angrily to a challenge and repeatedly bumped into the Barcelona star with his chest.

Neither Medel nor Messi raised their hands and the Chile man was the clear aggressor in the incident as both players saw red.

There was a VAR check but referee Mario Diaz de Vivar did not look back at the footage on the pitch-side monitor.

When asked why he was not on the pitch for the medal ceremony, Messi told reporters: "Because we don't have to be part of this corruption, this lack of respect towards the whole Copa."

Messi added: "I always tell the truth. That leaves me calm. Then, if what I say has repercussions, it is not to do with me as I am always sincere."

COPA AMERICA OFFICIAL STARTING XI VENEZUELA VS ARGENTINA

Copa America 2019, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world will be making its debut on ESPN+ this year. You’ll be able to follow your teams from the group stage all the way through the final. Some of the world’s best players will be playing in Copa so you don’t want to miss the action.

Venezuela looks for an upset in tonight’s match at the Estádio do Maracanã in Rio against Argentina, who hasn’t played well as of late, catch all the action with our live stream below.

Copa America: Venezuela vs Argentina

• Date: Friday, June 28
• Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
• TV Channel: Telemundo
• Live Stream: ESPN+ (sign up now)

Venezuela comes into this match with some confidence after the way they have been playing as of late. With a solid display against Bolivia, they finished second behind Brazil in Group A. Argentina overcame an incredible amount of pressure to win their last game versus Qatar, but they haven’t been playing very well in this Copa America tournament.

Venezuela Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Farinez; Hernandez, Chancellor, Villanueva, Rosales; Savarino, Herrera, Moreno, Rincon, Machis; Rondon

Argentina is still looking for ways to get Messi involved, this has been an ongoing process. Last game they had a 1-0 lead against Qatar and it took until the 82nd minute of the game to put the game to bed. Lionel Scaloni may change up the lineup to get the best out of Lionel Messi.

Argentina Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Armani; Foyth, Pezzella, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Lo Celso, Paredes, Acuna; Messi; Aguero, Martinez

COPA AMERICA:- OFFICIAL STARTING XI JAPAN VS CHILE

Japan returns to the Copa America after 20 years and begins their second tournament appearance against Group C opponents Chile at the Estadio do Morumbi in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The relative newcomers to South America’s greatest international competition will meet up against a much more experienced outfit in Chile.

Copa América: Japan vs Chile 

• Date: Monday, June 17
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: Telemundo
• Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

La Roja is the two-time defending champions after winning back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016, and the 2019 Copa will continue their tradition of having appeared in all 17 tournaments since 1975. Reinaldo Ruelda has brought a seasoned lineup into this summer’s contest. Fourteen of the 23 players on Chile’s squad are 28 or older, and even their youngest player, 22-year-old goalkeeper Yerko Urra, is older than most of his counterparts on other teams. 

In comparison, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has 16 uncapped players on his 23-man list. Of those, 18 players are 22 or younger—11 have yet to hit 21. Takefusa Kubo, 18, is the youngest player competing in the 2019 Copa America. The logic is that Japan will have some of their younger players compete against top-tier talent in the hopes it will put them in a better position for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (an under-23 competition).

The Samurai Blue have lost only twice in their last 16 games and are currently unbeaten in three matches, but it will be a new test for such an inexperienced squad to make it out of Group C. The team is still seeking its first Copa America victory after drawing once and losing twice in their maiden appearance in 1999. Chile hopes its physicality and wisdom will set them on a path to becoming the first team to win three successive Copa America trophies since Argentina in 1945-47.

Starting XI Japan

Starting XI Chile