Major League Soccer has fined Inter Miami CF stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez for violating the league's "hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent" rule. The incident took place during the team's season-opening match against New York City FC on Saturday. Suárez was penalized for touching NYCFC player Birk Risa on the back of the neck during a heated exchange, while Messi grabbed the neck of NYCFC assistant Mehdi Ballouchy after the final whistle.
The altercation occurred just seconds after the referee signaled for half-time. Intense discussions between the players led to NYCFC's Strahinja Tanasijević intervening between Risa and Suárez. Despite the confrontation, both Messi and Suárez remain available for upcoming matches.
Inter Miami currently leads their series 1-0, having defeated Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park last week, thanks to a goal from Messi in challenging weather conditions. They are set to host Sporting Kansas City in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup first-round clash on Tuesday night. Before this, Inter Miami will face Houston Dynamo FC in their second match of the 2025 MLS season.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano described the situation as a typical on-field matter. He emphasized the challenges players face in managing their emotions under pressure.
"It's difficult sometimes to control the emotions. I think the press sometimes want to create a circus about it." – Javier Mascherano
Mascherano downplayed the incident, suggesting that such occurrences are part and parcel of competitive sports.
"And we forget, we are looking forward to the next game." – Javier Mascherano
The fines imposed by Major League Soccer remain undisclosed, yet highlight the league's commitment to maintaining decorum on the field. Despite the fines, Inter Miami appears focused on their upcoming matches, with both Messi and Suárez expected to contribute significantly.
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