Argentine superstar Lionel Messi recently announced that he and the Argentine National soccer team have stopped speaking to the media. This is after the media viciously attacked one of his teammates for using pot.
Messi, who also doubles up as Argentina’s captain, made this announcement after he helped his team wrap up a comprehensive 3-0 win over Colombia in the World Cup qualifiers held San Juan.
The Argentine national team has been under fire for some terrible performances before their match against Colombia.
According to Messi, the team has made this decision to protect teammate Ezequiel Lavezzi’s reputation after an Argentine radio host posted a tweet accusing him of smoking pot during a training session. Messi added that the accusations were not based on facts and they were very disrespectful. In a show of solidarity, the whole team stood behind their captain as he made the statement.
Attitudes towards cannabis have been changing for the better across the world and with stringent laws being relaxed, it remains to be seen how this pro-marijuana laws will affect different sectors like sports.
In 2009, Argentina legalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis; as a result, the authorities normally handle public consumption of the substance with a blind eye. Lavezzi is in the right side of the local marijuana laws and therefore it is quite unfortunate that he has gone through an unnecessary trial in the public opinion court. Sportsmen and women should be allowed to use marijuana to treat anxiety, stress or pain.
The World Anti-Doping Agency is responsible for the World Cup drug testing; the group was started in part by the International Olympic Committee. In comparison with more restrictive organizations like the NFL, WADA has fairly liberal opinion about marijuana.
For instance, athletes only have to observe WADA regulations when they are competing and Olympians don’t even have to be tested during training.
With this in mind, it does not make sense why Lavezzi has to go through a public crucifixion if his country and WADA have no issue if athletes use cannabis for therapeutic purposes during training. Why is the media doing this?
According to Lavezzi, the accusations against him are false since he did not smoke weed at the training facility. He said that he plans to sue the radio personality for false statements against him that have resulted in serious damage to his family as well as his work.
As pot supporters, we hope that Lavezzi makes an international statement by winning the lawsuit.
