Why Lionel Messi Has Been Fined And Suspended By MLS? When Will He Play His Next Game For Inter Miami?
World-renowned Lionel Messi has been enjoying his time at David Beckham’s MLS club Inter Miami and has been a pivotal figure for them. Lionel Messi has always been a quiet and humble person as well but on rare occasions, things go south and Messi has reacted in not-so-appropriate ways. In a recent situation, Messi has been fined by the MLS disciplinary committee for touching the back of NYC FC’s assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy twice after the final whistle.
Why did Lionel Messi get suspended in MLS?
The bout between Inter Miami and NYC FC was very intense with Messi’s team behind by one goal up until Messi set up the equalizer goal in the dying minutes of the game to make the score 2-2. The match was already quite difficult for Inter Miami since they were down to ten men because their defender Tomas Aviles received a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity dragging down NYC FC player Alonso Martinez from behind. Messi was a key player in the game having assisted the first goal as well as the second late goal. However, things went south for Messi as he got a bit irritated and got into some confrontations.
Messi even had an argument with the referee Alexis Da Silva after the match and received a yellow card for dissent. After this, Lionel Messi was caught on camera in a confrontation with NYC FC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy in which he touched the back of his neck twice.
MLS disciplinary committee has stated that Messi has violated the league’s “Hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy.” As of now, the amount for the fine is undisclosed. Luis Suarez also received a similar fine for touching the back of NYC FC defender Birk Risa at half-time.
The MLS Confederation does not take their rules being violated lightly and fined a referee last week as well. Particularly the referee in charge of Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup opener against Sporting KC in which the referee asked for Lionel Messi’s jersey after the game.
When will Messi play his next game for Inter Miami?
Despite Messi receiving a fine in the MLS match against NYC FC, he is still set to play the second leg against Sporting Kansas City in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Tuesday 4th March with Messi’s Miami leading the score 1-0 in aggregate. Pertaining to MLS only, the fines are only monetary and the MLS Confederation has only imposed a certain undisclosed amount to be paid but there will be no match suspension. Lionel Messi will surely play against Houston Dynamo in the MLS on 2nd March.