Fans with Messi or Argentina jerseys not allowed to attend Paraguay v Argentina clash

Paraguay want to turn the visit of Argentina into a real final. The ‘Albirroja’, a very tough team in these qualifiers, who have improved a lot their performances in relation to past qualifiers, do not want to leave any room for the motivation of the World Cup champions.

Paraguayan football federation director Fernando Villasboa told ‘Radio La Red’ that the Defensores del Chaco stadium will not be open to anyone wearing ‘Albiceleste’ shirts, nor will they be allowed to wear Leo Messi‘s No 10 on their backs at any of the clubs the star has played for.

"Fans wearing shirts of the Argentine national team, Barca, PSG or Inter Miami with Messi's name on themwill not be allowed into the stadium," explained Villasboa in a measure that was already put into practice during Brazil's previous visit with the figure of Vinicius Junior.

"No one is allowed to wear shirts of Argentine clubs or clubs named after players from other countries either. We want to paint the Defensores del Chaco in the colours of the ‘Albirroja“, so that the players can feel that support from the stands,” insisted the Paraguayan Federation's director of football.

Beyond the obvious motivation that this decision may generate in the Paraguayan national team, the measure has been taken with the aim of reducing disturbances in the stands. South American football is always under scrutiny for the unpleasant incidents that take place between fans in stadiums on a more regular basis than is desirable.

As for the implementation of this decision, Paraguay already felt the warmth of the fans during the last visit of the Brazilian national team, which they defeated 1-0 with a dedicated crowd after Diego Gomez's goal. While Argentina are well on course to qualify for the next World Cup, the ‘Albirroja’ are also in the qualification places after not having lost in their last four games.