Paraguay has sparked controversy before the match in the World Cup qualifiers. They will host Argentina on Friday at 5:30 am in their own field. But before the match, the Paraguayan Football Federation imposed a ban on the jerseys of Lionel Messi and Argentina players.
The ban, however, is only for Paraguayan fans. Those who, despite being hosts, want to leave their country on the field and wear the jerseys of Messi and Argentina players – the ban is only for them. Paraguayan Football Federation manager Fernando Villasboa warned the hosts ahead of the match, saying, 'We will not be allowed to enter the field wearing the other team's jersey. We have no problem against Messi. We respect the career of all footballers. But the home ground is very important for our team.'
The subject of this ban was discussed in the press conference before the match. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni believes that despite the ban, Argentina's jersey will adorn the hosts' gallery, 'logically, Paraguayan footballers, fans there will read the national team jersey. But a Messi is bigger than them. As a result, it is not impossible to have the Argentine jersey here.'
He further clarified, 'Wearing the jersey doesn't mean they support Paraguay – that's not the case. I think it's good that football fans recognize Messi according to his weight. It does not mean that someone became an Argentina fan just because he has a jersey.'
Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro, however, said, he has no headache with this ban, 'I have no headache with this ban. I don't know anything about it. I think it might be a trick to avoid potential trouble. Messi is our opponent in this match. I wish him to play the best match of his life against Peru. But not for this match.'
