Eagle-eyed Liverpool supporters believe the Argentine superstar struck Fabinho around the head during Wednesday's first leg clash

The petition to have UEFA ban Barcelona’s Lionel Messi retrospectively for a ‘punch’ on Liverpool star Fabinho has now gone received more than 10,000 signatures.

Reds fans allege the diminutive Argentine struck their Brazilian midfielder during their 3-0 defeat to the Spanish giants at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night, where Messi scored a magical free-kick to leave the Reds needing an Anfield miracle next week.

3 The incident which led to Messi’s free-kick

But some fans have taken issue with the awarding of the set-piece, claiming it was actually Messi who committed the foul.

Fabinho was adjudged to have blocked Messi’s run as the Barcelona star tried to play a one-two with Luis Suarez.

The Liverpool midfielder was booked for getting in Messi’s way, but some supporters have argued that, instead, the Argentine launched himself at Fabinho.

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As Messi seemingly tries to hurdle the challenge, his hand appears to make contact with the face of Fabinho, who went down holding his head.

And one Liverpool fan felt so aggrieved by the decision, they took to change.org to create a petition titled: ‘Get Messi a retrospective ban for clearly punching Fabinho in the head’.

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It reads: “So basically Messi gets a free-kick for punching Fabinho in the head and scores it, I feel like this needs to be looked at by UEFA.”

We’re not sure change.org is the best way to reach UEFA, however the petition could attract the attention of the UK government if it reaches 10,000 signatures.

As of 12:45pm on Saturday, it had already had more than 10,000 signatures – a total rapidly rising with every passing minute.

3 How the petition looked at 12:45pm on Saturday

And after a brief scroll through Twitter, it’s clear to see why.

It seems as though many Liverpool fans felt cheated by the little Argentine:

Messi jumping to punch Fabinhio. pic.twitter.com/HwMFxQJsWa — Spice Bag Wag (@justintime4tea) May 2, 2019

Things that should happen:

Messi being retroactively banned for punching Fabinho Things that won’t happen:

Messi being retroactively banned for punching Fabinho — John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) May 1, 2019

Super cool that Fabinho gets a yellow for letting Messi punch him in the head and the ensuing free kick results in a goal. Super cool. pic.twitter.com/HIPOdWt4Ya — Liam Hughes (@LiamTheMurse) May 1, 2019

Messi literally punched Fabinho and no VAR was used. Most protected player in football history. — Paddy (@TheNotoriousPGM) May 1, 2019

I like how everyone is trolling Liverpool without mentioning how VAR went silent for Mane's penalty, and how Messi punched Fabinho I but got a free kick he scored. We get it… you are eager to troll LFC because we are where you want to be — KoloKK | #SocialGood (@KoloKennethK) May 1, 2019

Messi punched fabinho but no one will talk about that because he is the world's greatest player. — dijk 🇺🇬 (@mosaeed_LFC) May 2, 2019