Football stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba have been suspended by Major League Soccer for missing this year’s All-Star game without official approval.
Both Inter Miami players were expected to feature in Wednesday’s All-Star match between a selected MLS team and top players from Mexico’s Liga MX. However, they pulled out hours before the game for reasons that were not made public.
As a result, Messi and Alba will not be allowed to play in Inter Miami’s next game against FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
In a statement on Friday, MLS said, “Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match.”
MLS Commissioner Don Garber admitted the decision was not easy but insisted the rules had to be followed.
“I know Lionel Messi loves this league,” Garber said. “I don’t think there’s a player — or anyone — who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision.
“Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision.”
Garber also said the league would review its policy in the future.
“We’re going to take a hard look at the policy moving forward,” he said. “I’m committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve.”
Garber hinted that the league was aware of Messi’s tight schedule. The 38-year-old has played nine matches in just over a month, including four games in the FIFA Club World Cup, and completed the full 90 minutes in all of them.
“Miami’s had a schedule that is unlike any other team,” he said. “Most of our teams had a 10-day break. Miami hasn’t. So we have to manage through that as a league.”
Even before the All-Star match, Miami coach Javier Mascherano had said he would have preferred both players to rest.
“The players are called up. I’d prefer they rest, but it’s not my decision,” Mascherano said.
