Lionel Messi's international career could come to an end with a two-year ban hanging over his head.
The Barcelona superstar made comments after Argentina's third-place play-off victory at the Copa America which accused the organisers of being corrupt.
And it could lead to him being handed a long term ban by CONMEBOL that would all but end his international career.
It would be a huge blow for the attacker who is yet to win a major international tournament in his career.
Argentina were beaten in a semi-final by Brazil and he was sent off after a clash with Gary Medel in the third-place play-off win over Chile.
It was a hard red card and Messi was raging with the decision, insisting it was set up for Brazil to win the tournament.
He said: "There is no doubt, the whole thing is set up for Brazil. I hope the VAR and referees don't play any part in the final and that Peru can compete but it looks tough to me.
"I did not want to be part of this corruption, we shouldn't have to be part of this disrespect we suffered during the Copa America.
"We could have gone further but we weren't allowed into the final. Corruption, referees and all the rest stopped people from enjoying the football.
"I always tell the truth and I'm honest, that is what keeps me calm, if what I say has repercussions that is not my business.
"I think that what happened is because of what I said [against Brazil].
"What I said last time perhaps came back to haunt me. With a yellow card that was the end of it."
CONMEBOL released a statement of their own following Messi's comments, branding them 'unacceptable'.
The statement continued: "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."
A two year suspension would make Messi miss next year's Copa America in Argentina and Colombia as well as qualification for the 2022 World Cup.
