MIAMI: Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer for slapping Philadelphia Union player Quinn Sullivan during Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who captains and plays as a forward for both Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami CF and the Argentina national team.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, the 39-year-old has won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, six European Golden Shoes and a record 46 team trophies.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee fined Messi for violating the league’s policy on contact with an opponent’s face, head or neck. The amount of the fine was not disclosed.
The incident happened in stoppage time when Messi approached Sullivan, with the two exchanging words before the Inter Miami forward struck the back of the Union player’s neck.
The referee intervened to separate the players but did not show Messi a card.
Another Miami Player Fined
Inter Miami defender Ian Fray was also fined for a separate incident involving Sullivan.
Sullivan became involved with Fray after losing his footing in the penalty area, with Fray grabbing the Union player’s neck during the confrontation.
The match ended with two players being sent off in stoppage time. Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan and Miami’s Yannick Bright both received red cards.
Cavan Sullivan’s one-match suspension was later rescinded following an independent review, making him eligible to play in Philadelphia’s next match.
Messi also scored Inter Miami’s second goal against Philadelphia, his first since his father, Jorge Messi, died.
Inter Miami remain second in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind leaders Nashville.
