Messi and Luis Suarez fined by MLS for grabbing opponents by the neck

MLS on Tuesday imposed two fines on Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez , both of Inter Miami, for grabbing opponents by the neck during last Saturday's match against New York City FC.

In both cases, the league's Disciplinary Committee said the players violated "MLS' policy regarding hands toward the face/head/neck" of an opponent. The amount of the fines was not specified.

After the match, Messi protested to the referee and received a yellow card. He then argued with a New York City assistant coach and grabbed him by the neck.

In the case of Suárez, the striker grabbed defender Birk Risa by the neck during half-time.

Inter Miami uncorked the 2025 MLS season with a 2-2 draw at home to New York City. Both of the Florida side's assists came from Messi. Argentine Tomás Avilés put Inter Miami ahead in the 5th minute, but was sent off in the 23rd due to a straight red card.

Mitja Ilenic and Costa Rican Alonso Martínez turned the score around for the New Yorkers, but in the 100th minute Inter Miami rescued a point thanks to a goal by Venezuelan Telasco Segovia on an assist from Messi.