New Delhi: Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has been fined for an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer for grabbing the neck of a New York City FC’s assistant coach at the end of Saturday’s match.
The incident occurred after the final whistle during a 2-2 draw between both sides. In a video that has gone viral, the Argentine maestro was caught on camera in a confrontation with NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy. He was seen grabbing the scruff of his neck twice though shocked Ballouchy did not retaliate as Messi walked off the pitch.
💰 Lionel Messi Gets Fined!
The Inter Miami captain has been fined an undisclosed amount by MLS for “violating the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy” after the 2-2 draw vs New York City FC.
NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy not fined.#InterMiamiCF #Messi𓃵 pic.twitter.com/7PMzH0gsog
— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) February 25, 2025
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s confrontation came shortly after an argument with the referee Alezis Da Silva which had already earned him a yellow card for dissent. The MLS has confirmed in a statement that the disciplinary committee had ruled Messi for breaching the league’s “Hands to the face/neck/head of an opponent” policy.
Lionel Messi helped Miami equalise as he assisted teammate Telasco Segovia to score the goal at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium. Earlier Tomas Aviles scored an opening goal and shortly was awarded a red card for dragging down NYCFC forward Alonso Martinez.
Along with Messi his teammate Luis Suarez has also been fined for making contact with NYC’s Brik Risa during a heated exchange after the first half of the game. Suarez was seen placing a hand on Risa’s neck during an argument before NYCFC’s Strahinja Tanasijevic’s intervention.
The fine caps a notable week for Messi and referees in the United States. Earlier this week, the referee in charge of Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions League opening game against Sporting KC was penalised by the confederation for requesting the Argentine’s shirt after the match.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano while downplaying the controversy earlier said, “It’s difficult sometimes to control emotions. In football, you have to understand the players and the emotions of the game. What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.”
Lionel Messi was fined by MLS for grabbing NYCFC’s assistant coach’s neck after a heated 2-2 draw, while Luis Suarez also received a fine for a similar incident. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
