Lionel Messi's former Argentina team-mate Franco Vazquez has been slapped with a 10-game ban after racially abusing an opponent in Serie B.

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  • Messi's ex team-mate Vazquez receives 10-game ban
  • Accused of racially abusing opponent in Serie B
  • Cremonese will appeal against the ban
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    According to a report from Mirror, former Argentine international and ex-Lionel Messi team-mate Franco Vazquez has been slapped with a 10-game ban in the Serie B in Italy after the Cremonese man allegedly left Bari defender Mehdi Dorval in tears after racially abusing him.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The confrontation between Vazquez, capped three times by Argentina, and Dorval took place last month, during a 1-1 stalemate between Cremonese and Bari. The racial abuse incident occurred right at the stroke of half-time, as Dorval looked in anguish and was comforted by other Bari players. Bari coach Moreno Longo was outraged after the match and revealed what he believed Vazquez had said to Dorval following the incident.

    "You do not say 'n***o s**m' to anyone. In 2025 it is completely unacceptable, we need to underline that. We all stand with Dorval, he is a sensitive guy and this is sadly not the first time it has happened this season," Longo told reporters after the game.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    On Tuesday, the Serie B Sporting Judge announced a lengthy 10-game ban for Vazquez after finding the ex-Sevilla, Parma, and Palermo midfielder guilty of "expressive insult of racial discrimination."

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    WHAT NEXT?

    The saga appears far from over after the Serie B Sporting Judge's verdict, as Cremonese have already announced plans to appeal the decision in the coming days, hoping to overturn the ban.