Lionel Messi's former Argentina team-mate handed huge 10-game ban after bringing opponent to tears with vile racist abuse during Serie B game in Italy

According to a report from Mirror, former Argentine international and ex-Lionel Messi team-mate Franco Vazquez has been slapped with a 10-game ban in the Serie B in Italy after the Cremonese man allegedly left Bari defender Mehdi Dorval in tears after racially abusing him.

The confrontation between Vazquez, capped three times by Argentina, and Dorval took place last month, during a 1-1 stalemate between Cremonese and Bari. The racial abuse incident occurred right at the stroke of half-time, as Dorval looked in anguish and was comforted by other Bari players. Bari coach Moreno Longo was outraged after the match and revealed what he believed Vazquez had said to Dorval following the incident.

"You do not say 'n***o s**m' to anyone. In 2025 it is completely unacceptable, we need to underline that. We all stand with Dorval, he is a sensitive guy and this is sadly not the first time it has happened this season," Longo told reporters after the game.

On Tuesday, the Serie B Sporting Judge announced a lengthy 10-game ban for Vazquez after finding the ex-Sevilla, Parma, and Palermo midfielder guilty of "expressive insult of racial discrimination."

The saga appears far from over after the Serie B Sporting Judge's verdict, as Cremonese have already announced plans to appeal the decision in the coming days, hoping to overturn the ban.