Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer after an incident involving Philadelphia Union forward Quinn Sullivan during Inter Miami’s heated 2-2 draw on Wednesday.
The league announced on Friday that Messi was handed an undisclosed fine for violating MLS rules concerning contact with an opponent’s face, head or neck.
Inter Miami’s Ian Fray was also fined for the same offence.
What happened between Messi and Quinn Sullivan?
The incident occurred late in stoppage time, with play continuing in another part of the field when Messi approached the centre circle and confronted Sullivan.
After a brief exchange between the two players, Messi appeared to swipe at Sullivan on the back of his neck.
Sullivan then turned towards the Argentine superstar, resulting in a tense face-to-face confrontation that resembled a fight-style stare-down.
The referee, Filip Dujic, had his back turned when the incident initially occurred. He arrived shortly afterwards to separate the players but did not show either Messi or Quinn Sullivan a card.
MLS cites hands-to-head/neck policy
MLS’s disciplinary committee said it imposed the fine on Messi for “violating the league’s policy regarding hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent.”
The league did not disclose the amount of Messi’s fine.
Fray was also punished under the same policy.
Stoppage-time scuffle leads to red cards
The confrontation involving Messi was part of a chaotic finish to an already testy contest.
Referee Dujic later sent off Cavan Sullivan, Quinn’s younger brother and Philadelphia teammate, along with Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright following a separate stoppage-time scuffle in Miami’s penalty area.
Despite the late drama, the match ended 2-2.
The disciplinary action adds another flashpoint to Messi’s MLS campaign, with the Inter Miami captain now facing a financial penalty for his involvement in the confrontation.
What is next for Messi?
The MLS punishment is a fine rather than a suspension, according to the disciplinary announcement cited in the report. Messi therefore avoids missing games as a direct consequence of the incident, although the episode has drawn attention because of the Argentine star’s involvement in the confrontation.
