Ex-referee reveals instance of cheating in order to get Lionel Messi's jersey

Carlos Chandia, the former football referee, has acknowledged that he decided not to book Lionel Messi for getting his game-used shirt after the game. In an interview with ESPN on FShow, Chandia described how he failed to reserve the Argentine for a handball at the 2007 Copa America, which would have kept him out of the championship game. However, in return for the favour, the referee asked to see the Argentine's shirt after the game.

The incident happened during Argentina and Mexico's 2007 Copa America semifinal match. Thanks to strikes from Gabriel Heinze, Roman Riquelme, and Lionel Messi, La Albiceleste took a 3-0 lead in the game. Argentina came perilously close to sacrificing Messi in the championship only moments before the final siren. When he committed the handball violation, the legendary player for FC Barcelona was just one yellow card from a suspension. 

Carlos Chandia discussed the significance of the foul and said, “There was no goal-scoring chance for the Mexican team or anything like that. So, I told him: ‘This is a yellow card, but it will cost you your jersey,’ and I didn’t show him the yellow card. “There were two-and-a-half minutes left, and the score was 3-0. Showing him a yellow card would have taken away his chance of playing in the Copa America final.”

“He came to the dressing room with the jersey” : Ex referee Carlos Chandia

Being one of the best players of history, Messi's global fan base knows no geographical bounds. Supporters from many nations will stop at nothing to have a memento of their idol. Not even the Chilean referee Chandia refrained from trying his hand at making history. 

Regarding Messi's acceptance of his offer, the referee stated, “He gave me the shirt in the dressing room afterwards. In fact, he wanted to take it off on the pitch and I told him: ‘No, no, no, no; take it to the dressing room’. And he came to the dressing room with the jersey and left it there for me.”