New Delhi, June 20 -- Florencia Pena, an Argentine TV host, has resigned after falsely reporting that Lionel Messi's father died. Florencia was hosting "El Show del Verano" on Luzu TV when the error occurred. She later announced her resignation via social media.

Pena said a producer had relayed the false information through her earpiece during a live broadcast. She trusted it and repeated it on air.

"I accept that I am partly to blame for this mistake," NBC News wrote. She apologised to the Messi family directly. "I am deeply ashamed to have been the source of this pain," she added.

The Messi family responded with a clarifying statement. Jorge Messi, Lionel's father, is dealing with a health issue. He is under medical supervision and s...