Zenit St Petersburg’s Leandro Paredes has been accused of deliberately getting sent-off to attend the Copa Libertadores final.

Paredes, who is a Boca Juniors academy graduate, received a red card for his second yellow in the 83rd minute in a league tie against Akhmat Gronzy. 

The timing of the second yellow left Zenit fans to wonder whether the Argentine deliberately got suspended to attend the tie between rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors.

Paredes has copped a barrage of messages and comments on social media, as well as countless accusations from the media that the red card was deliberate.

The midfielder played in this morning's Europa League tie against Bordeaux and plans to fly to Argentina today. 

Paredes said to Fox Sports Argentina, “I was going to arrive on Sunday in Argentina, but as we played on Thursday for the Europa League in France, they proposed that I not return to Russia and travel directly from there on Friday.

“It’s all a lie. Nothing happened here. It’s something that was invented in Argentina.

“I didn’t earn the red card on purpose, I would never do something like that.

“When I heard that this was being talked about, I talked with Zenit sporting director and he told me that they trust me.”

The Argentine will now miss Zenit’s match against 5th placed CSKA Moscow, with Zenit looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.