Lionel Messi incurs fine after gross unsportsmanlike conduct in Inter Miami’s game against New York City FC.
Lionel Messi has been imposed with a fine by the MLS governing body on account of unsportsmanlike behavior displayed by him.
The incident took place during Inter Miami’s game against New York City FC. The Argentina megastar was seen grabbing the neck of one of the assistants of New York City FC.
The incident has been confirmed with video footage showing the same.
During the arguments, Messi placed his hands on Ballouchy’s neck twice. MLS confirmed in a statement that the Argentinean had been found to have broken the league’s “Hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy” by their disciplinary committee.
Messi seemed enraged with referee Alexis Da Silva before to the altercation with Ballouchy. He reacted angrily after the final whistle and was given a yellow card for dissent on his way back down the tunnel.
In the 2-2 tie at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium, Messi had just sent his teammate Telasco Segovia for an equaliser in stoppage time. Tomás Avilés, a Miami defender, was sent off for denying a goal earlier in the game after he pulled down NYC FC forward Alonso Martinez from behind while he closed in on the goalie. Earlier in the game, Avilés scored Miami’s first goal off of another Messi assist.
For placing his hands on NYC FC defender Birk Risa’s neck after halftime, Messi’s teammate Luis Suárez was also fined similarly.
The penalty caps off an eventful week for Messi and American referees. The confederation reprimanded the referee who officiated Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions League opener against Sporting KC earlier this week for requesting the Argentinian’s shirt following the match. In that match, which was played in icy, single-digit conditions in Kansas City, Messi scored the game-winning goal to help the team win 1-0.