Major League Soccer (MLS) has fined Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi for placing his hand on the neck of New York City FC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy during a heated exchange at the end of Saturday’s 2-2 draw.
Messi’s confrontation with Ballouchy
The incident occurred after the final whistle when Messi received a yellow card for a verbal altercation with referee Alexis Da Silva. As he exited the pitch, Messi engaged in a brief argument with Ballouchy, covering his mouth while speaking.
Messi initially walked away but then turned back and grabbed the back of Ballouchy’s neck, applying enough pressure to visibly stun him.
MLS’s disciplinary committee ruled that Messi had violated the league’s “Hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy”.
Luis Suárez also fined
In a separate incident from the same match, Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez was also fined for violating the same policy. The Uruguayan striker grabbed NYCFC defender Birk Risa by the neck during a skirmish at halftime.
Messi had earlier played a key role in Miami’s comeback, assisting Telasco Segovia’s stoppage-time equalizer in the thrilling season opener at Chase Stadium.
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