- Messi fined by MLS for grabbing NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy’s neck after a heated confrontation.
- Incident occurred after Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw, where Messi assisted a stoppage-time equalizer.
- Luis Suárez also fined for a similar altercation with NYCFC defender Birk Risa at half-time.
Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer (MLS) for grabbing the neck of a New York City FC assistant coach at the end of Saturday’s match.
The Argentine World Cup winner was caught on camera confronting NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy after the final whistle, twice placing his hands on the back of Ballouchy’s neck during the heated exchange.
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In a statement, MLS confirmed that its disciplinary committee found Messi in violation of the league’s policy regarding “Hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent.”
The incident occurred after Messi assisted a stoppage-time equalizer for teammate Telasco Segovia, securing a 2-2 draw for Inter Miami in their season opener at Chase Stadium.
Messi’s teammate, Luis Suárez, also received a similar fine for placing his hands on the back of NYCFC defender Birk Risa’s neck during a halftime altercation.
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