ARGENTINA players have boycotted media duties following claims Ezequiel Lavezzi smoked marijuana at the side’s training base.
Lionel Messi scored one and set up two more in the 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Colombia in San Juan on Tuesday night.
The crucial victory fired the struggling side above their rivals into the South American section’s play-off spot.
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But Barcelona star Messi, 29, refused to respond to questions from the Press amid allegations surrounding his team-mate.
He said: “We’re here to let you know that we will no longer be communicating with the Press.
“The accusations that were made towards Lavezzi were huge. We regret that it has to be this way but we have no other choice. We know that many of you don't play that game.
“We were accused a lot. No respect was being shown and we never said anything. But this accusation against Lavezzi was it.
“If we don't stop it today, we'll never stop it. We know that you will continue to criticise us, that's fine. However, some got into our personal lives.”
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Lavezzi, 31,was called up by boss Edgardo Bauza for this month’s crunch double-header, which also included Thursday’s 3-0 loss to Brazil.
He did not feature in the defeat to Argentina’s bitter rivals and did not even make the bench for the vital clash with the Colombians.
And a local reporter alleged that the frontman - who now plies his trade with Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune – was left out after being caught taking cannabis prior to the tie.
On Monday, Gabriel Anello tweeted: “Lavezzi is left off the substitutes' bench tomorrow because of the joint that was smoked last night in the camp? I'm asking... just asking.”
He later added: “Lavezzi smokes his second spliff of the training camp, and he is ‘unpresentable’… we have the squad and players we deserve.”
Lavezzi has adamantly denied the claim and vowed to take legal action against the journalist involved.
In a statement on Twitter he said: “I hereby communicate that I am going to begin legal claims against Gabriel Anello for his false statements against me and the serious damage that they have generated to my family and in my work.”
Lavezzi has won 51 caps for Argentina since his debut in 2007, netting nine goals
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