Messi and Luis Suarez fined by MLS for assaulting rivals

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.

Lionel Messi has had a huge impact since his arrival at Inter Miami, going from being one of the bottom teams in the MLS to being one of the most consistent teams in the entire championship. However, They have not yet been able to win the MLS Cup, the most important title in American soccer. .

Messi, along with Uruguayan center forward Luis Suarez, had significant altercations in the first match of the regular season. The Argentine managed to provide two assists to rescue the draw against New York City, but complaints to referees and rivals were what took center stage.

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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.

Why were Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez fined by MLS?

After the match, Messi went to the referee to protest 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 Suarez, The striker grabbed defender Birk Risa by the neck during the break .

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 were provided by Messi.

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Argentine Tomás Avilés put Inter Miami ahead in the 5th minute but was sent to the locker room in the 23rd with 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 a pass from Messi.

With information from EFE

MBV