Messi fined for slapping opponent in MLS match
Lionel Messi was fined by Major League Soccer after slapping Philadelphia Union player Quinn Sullivan during Inter Miami's 2-2 draw on Wednesday. The incident occurred late in the match after what Messi said was Sullivan elbowing him.
Major League Soccer fined Lionel Messi after he slapped Philadelphia Union player Quinn Sullivan during Inter Miami's 2-2 draw at Subaru Park on Wednesday, according to BBC Sport. The league did not announce the fine amount.
The incident occurred late in the match. According to BBC reporting, Messi slapped Sullivan around the back of the head after what Messi said was Sullivan elbowing him following Messi's play of the ball. The referee intervened after Sullivan reacted to the contact.
Messi, 39, scored Miami's second goal in the draw. Per BBC Sport, it was his first goal since returning from Argentina, where he attended the funeral of his father, Jorge Messi, who died at age 68 following a long illness.
A second discipline came from the same match. Ian Fray was also fined by MLS for grabbing Sullivan's neck after both players got tangled up when Sullivan lost his footing in the box, per BBC reporting. Separately, Miami's Yannick Bright and Union player Cavan Sullivan were both sent off in stoppage time. According to BBC Sport, Cavan Sullivan's one-game suspension has been rescinded after review.
Miami currently sit second in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind leaders Nashville, per BBC reporting.
MLS fined Messi for slapping Sullivan; the league did not disclose the fine amount.
The fine confirms MLS's response to the physical contact; watch whether the league imposes further discipline in similar incidents this season and how Miami and Philadelphia continue their campaigns in the standings.
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Sources
Single-source report. As published, only BBC Sport had reported this development. No independent outlet had corroborated it.
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