Major League Soccer has handed Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi an undisclosed fine following an altercation with a New York City FC assistant coach during Saturday’s 2-2 draw.
The incident occurred as Messi was leaving the field after the final whistle, having just received a yellow card for arguing with referee Alexis Da Silva. Messi exchanged words with NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy, covering his mouth as two Miami staff members intervened. As Messi started to walk away, he turned back toward Ballouchy and placed his right hand on the coach’s neck, applying enough pressure that it appeared to startle him.
In a separate incident from the same match, MLS also fined Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez for violating the league’s policy on hands to the face, head, or neck of an opponent. Suárez was involved in a brief altercation with NYCFC defender Birk Risa after halftime, during which he grabbed Risa by the back of the neck.
Additionally, Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutiérrez was fined and suspended for one match after delivering a high elbow to the head of Columbus’ Yevhen Cheberko during the team’s 4-2 loss in their season opener. Gutiérrez will miss Chicago’s home opener against D.C. United on March 1.
The league also issued a fine to Portland Timbers defender Kamal Miller for delaying his exit from the field after receiving a red card in the 11th minute of Sunday’s match against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
