Former Cardiff City enforcer Gary Medel has spoken out after being given marching orders alongside Barcelona's Lionel Messi.
But the 31-year-old has surprisingly come out in support of five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi following their dismissal.
The pair were controversially sent off in the opening 45 minutes of Saturday's Copa America Third place play-off encounter between Argentina and Chile after an on pitch scuffle.
Medel and Messi squared up to each other after the ball ran out of play for a Chile goal-kick in the 37th minute, with the defender much the aggressor in the situation.
Medel repeatedly pushed his head and chest towards the Catalan talisman.
Despite complaints from the Argentina captain and his teammates they were reduced to 10-men
Messi was unquestionably furious with Paraguayan referee Mario Diaz de Vivar’s decision and as a result after the game he refused to emerge for the post-match medal presentation.
Messi, 32, made comments as he branded the competition as ' corrupt ' and that refereeing decisions favoured the host nation Brazil.
Medel added his take on the dismissal, concurring with Messi's view that he had been treated harshly.
During an interview with La Nacion the Besiktas player said: “I agree with Messi, didn’t even think we’d get a yellow for it.
"There were a few shoves but that was it. The referee could’ve handled that a lot better.”
The match ended with La Albiceleste running out 2-1 winners courtesy of first-half goals from Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala, with Arturo Vidal scoring a penalty for Chile in the second half.
Argentina’s long wait for a major honour continues, with 26 years since they claimed winners’ medals at the 1993 Copa America.
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