Major League Soccer has fined Inter Miami’s Argentine superstar Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount for slapping Philadelphia’s Quinn Sullivan on the back of the neck during the clubs’ 2-2 draw on Wednesday.
The league’s disciplinary committee said it had levied the fine “for violating the league’s policy regarding hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent.” Miami’s Ian Fray was also fined an undisclosed amount for the same infraction.
The incident occurred late in stoppage time when Messi approached the centre circle to confront Sullivan while the ball was in play in another area of the field. After a brief exchange, Messi took a swipe at Sullivan, who then squared up to the Argentine star in a fight-style stare-down.
Referee Filip Dujic, who had his back turned during the incident, arrived to separate the players but did not show either of them a card. However, Dujic did send off Cavan Sullivan, Quinn’s younger brother and teammate, and Miami’s Italian midfielder Yannick Bright after their stoppage-time scuffle in Miami’s penalty area.
The fines come amid a heated match between the two sides, with tensions boiling over in the final moments of the game. Inter Miami had been leading 2-0 before Philadelphia mounted a late comeback to secure a draw.
Messi, who has been in sensational form since joining Inter Miami, has now been disciplined for the first time in his MLS career. The 39-year-old has been a transformative figure for the club, leading them to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Neither Messi nor Inter Miami have publicly commented on the fine. The club are scheduled to face FC Cincinnati in their next fixture as they continue their push for the playoffs.
