Lionel Messi is free to represent Argentina in their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers after his suspension for allegedly abusing an assistant referee was overturned on appeal.

The 29-year-old Barcelona striker was banned from four international matches and fined 10,000 Swiss francs (£8,100) for supposedly “having directed insulting words” at an official during Argentina’s World Cup qualifying meeting with Chile on 23 March. He was banned for the subsequent 2-0 loss to Bolivia as a result but will return to contention as under-performing Argentina prepare for crucial meetings with Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru as they fight to secure a place at next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.

A statement from the sport’s world governing body, Fifa, published on Friday read: “The Fifa appeal committee has upheld the appeal lodged by the Argentinian Football Association, on behalf of the player Lionel Messi, against the decision taken by the Fifa disciplinary committee, lifting the sanctions imposed on him as a result.”

During the Chile game, Messi was caught on camera venting his fury at an assistant who signalled he had committed a foul late on in Argentina’s 1-0 win. He was not shown a card at the time.

Despite upholding Argentina’s appeal the Fifa committee stressed it “considered Messi’s behaviour as reproachable” but concluded “the evidence available was not sufficient to establish” an infringement had occurred.

The statement continued: “The Appeal Committee nevertheless underlines the importance of always showing respect to the match officials, stressing that such a principle is essential in football and any unsporting conduct that may be contrary to the principles of fair play cannot be accepted.”

When Messi was first punished his club Barcelona released an angry statement expressing their “surprise and outrage”, adding that the Rosario-born forward was an “exemplary sportsman”. His availability for international duty could be a mixed blessing for the Catalans, however.

Argentina, currently without a head coach following the April departure of Edgardo Bauza, risk missing out on automatic qualification for 2018 World Cup and to that end the trip to Uruguay in late August will be vital. If picked, Messi will remain in South America to face Venezuela on 5 September.

By the time the Albiceleste tackle Peru in October they will have hoped to climb into the top four places in the Conmebol standings, while Barça will be suitably keen to see their player return to Spain uninjured.

Meanwhile, Barcelona have been boosted by the return of captain Andrés Iniesta for the must-win game against a Villarreal side who have made a habit of taking points off Spain’s top sides this season.

Iniesta missed the wins over Osasuna and Espanyol with muscle discomfort but the Barcelona coach Luis Enrique confirmed the 32-year-old was fit to play on Saturday as Barça seek to defend their slender lead over Real Madrid at the top of the standings.

Champions Barça are top due to their superior head-to-head record with Real although Zinedine Zidane’s side, also on 81 points, have a game in hand as they bid for their first title since 2012. Villarreal are fifth on 63 points and have won five of their last six games.

Fran Escriba’s side earned a 1-1 draw at Real Madrid in September to end the hosts’ 16-game winning streak in the league and took a 2-0 lead over Real in February before losing 3-2.

Only a stoppage-time free-kick from Messi denied Villarreal victory over Barça in January, forcing a 1-1 draw. They are also the only team in the league this season to win both league games against Atlético Madrid and held fourth-placed Sevilla to two draws.

“I don’t just focus on that (their record against the top four) but in what they do as a team. They are very organised with the ball and are very good at defending deep,” Luis Enrique told a news conference on Friday.

“If you look at their numbers and how they play you realise they are one of the most difficult teams to face in the league. It’s the most difficult game because it’s the next one and it’s going to be a really hard game against a team hoping to qualify for the Champions League.”