Palestinian Football Association chief Jibril Rajoub has urged fans to burn Argentina captain Lionel Messi’s replica shirts if he turns up to play a friendly against Israel at Jerusalem’s Teddy Kollek Stadium on Saturday (June 09). Not just shirts, Rajoub wants Messi’s posters to be burnt down as well as he feels Israel is using the match as a political tool. Meanwhile, this will be Argentina’s last friendly before the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

"He's a big symbol so we are going to target him personally and we call on all to burn his picture and his shirt and to abandon him. We still hope that Messi will not come,” Rajoub was quoted as saying by goal.com. Can Lionel Messi Shoulder Argentina's Hopes of 2018 FIFA World Cup Glory?

It is reported that to Rajoub also wrote to Claudio Tapia, the head of the Argentinian FA. ”The Israeli government has turned a regular sports match into a political tool. As was widely covered in Argentinian media, the match now is being played in order to celebrate the '70th anniversary of the State of Israel'," read part of Rajoub's letter.

Meanwhile, Israel’s football federation says Messi is expected to feature in the match. Argentina, placed in Group D, will open their campaign against Iceland on June 16 at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 04, 2018 09:54 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).