Angry Messi slams 'Brazil fix' after Copa red card

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Argentina players celebrate after finishing third REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

SAO PAOLO (Reuters) - Lionel Messi was sent off before halftime and then angrily hit out at "corrupt" tournament organisers after Argentina beat Chile 2-1 to win a bad-tempered third-place playoff at the Copa America on Saturday.

The match was 34 minutes old when Chilean captain Gary Medel shepherded out a ball near his own goal. Messi challenged him from behind and Medel reacted angrily, pushing the Argentine and raising his hands.

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Argentina players celebrate after finishing third REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

The Paraguayan referee showed Medel a red card and even though Messi did not react, he too was sent off, prompting boos in Sao Paulo’s Corinthians arena.

Reports said the Barcelona forward did not attend the ceremony to receive his third-place medal and he later hit out at the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).

"We don't have to be part of this corruption," Messi told reporters. "The lack of respect that they have showed us throughout this tournament.

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Argentina players celebrate after finishing third REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

"Sadly, the corruption, the referees, they don’t allow people to enjoy football, they ruined it a bit.

"I think the cup is fixed for Brazil," Messi added. "I hope that the VAR and the referees have nothing to do in this final and that Peru can compete because they have the team to do so although I think it's difficult."

His comments came four days after Argentina were beaten 2-0 by arch rivals Brazil in a semi-final that was marked by a number of contentious refereeing decisions.

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Chile's Erick Pulgar looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Argentina were furious that VAR was not consulted for two possible penalty decision, with the Argentine Football Association president writing an angry letter to CONMEBOL to express his disgust.     

Messi’s frustration was evident in the mixed zone after what was only the second red card of his career.

"You saw what happened," he told reporters. "A yellow would have ended it for both of us. The important thing is that with 10 the team finished well and won."

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Chile's Arturo Vidal during the medal presentation REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

The referee also showed six yellow cards in a match that was disrupted by 37 fouls.

Sergio Aguero put Argentina 1-0 ahead in 12 minutes and Paulo Dybala made it two 10 minutes later with a nice finish after Giovani Lo Celso put him through on goal.

Artur Vidal pulled one back for Chile from the penalty spot 14 minutes into the second half.

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Chile's Mauricio Isla in action with Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Hosts Brazil face Peru in the final on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro.

(Editing by Nick Mulvenney)

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Chile's Arturo Vidal reacts REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Chile players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after being shown a red card by referee Mario Diaz de Vivar REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Argentina's German Pezella is shown a yellow card by referee Mario Diaz de Vivar REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Argentina's Angel Di Maria and Giovani Lo Celso celebrate after finishing third REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Argentina's Sergio Aguero in action with Chile's Erick Pulgar and Gabriel Arias REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after being shown a red card by referee Mario Diaz de Vivar REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after being shown a red card by referee Mario Diaz de Vivar REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Third Place Play Off - Argentina v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - July 6, 2019 Chile's Gary Medel and Argentina's Lionel Messi are shown a red card by referee Mario Diaz de Vivar REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino