Argentina sits in the 5th (playoff bound spot) in CONMEBOL.

The good thing is there are only 4 top sides in CONMEBOL, so Argentina would not need to do much to qualify.

While they may miss Messi, Argentina has WAY too much talent to struggle further or continue sitting in this position.

Is that without Messi, they really struggle to get any points.

Higuaín, Aguerro, etc - they don't step up. Heck Aguerro was dropped for Bolivia.

The referee indicated he did not witness this abuse, and it was not in the official match report.

Now, when the FAs and FIFA retroactively suspend players for on-field actions, it is typically when it is either added onto the in-game punishment OR the officials did not see it and log it in the match report. This incident, however, was supposedly directed AT the official - so if he didn't report it, why is it being punished? Seems very, very odd.

Either verbally to the head referee or as an addendum or something? The article I read said his comments were directed at an assistant referee.

They give verbal input - the center is responsible for the report.