Lionel Messi has been handed a fine by Major League Soccer's disciplinary committee after striking Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan during a heated encounter last Wednesday. The incident occurred in stoppage time of Inter Miami's 2-2 draw at Subaru Park, with the league confirming the punishment without disclosing its financial value.
According to a statement published on MLS's official website, the disciplinary body sanctioned the Inter Miami forward for breaching league rules concerning contact with an opponent's hands to the face, head, or neck. The offending act took place in the 101st minute of the contest, when the 39-year-old Argentinian was seen striking Sullivan across the back of the head.
The flashpoint stemmed from Messi's frustration after believing Sullivan had elbowed him following a pass. Sullivan responded angrily to being slapped, prompting the match official to step in swiftly and defuse the confrontation before it worsened.
Despite the drama, Messi still played a key role in the scoreline, netting Miami's second goal of the match. Notably, it marked his first goal since the death of his father, adding an emotional layer to what was otherwise a chaotic and ill-tempered fixture.
Messi was not the sole Inter Miami player to find himself in trouble with Sullivan during the game. Defender Ian Fray was also fined by the league after grabbing Sullivan around the neck during a separate altercation, which arose after the two players became tangled following a loss of footing by the Union man inside the penalty area.
Tempers continued to flare as the match wore on, culminating in two dismissals during stoppage time. Miami's Yannick Bright was sent off, as was Cavan Sullivan, Quinn's brother, who plays for the Union. However, Cavan's resulting one-match suspension has since been overturned following a review process.
The draw leaves Inter Miami in second place in the Eastern Conference standings, trailing leaders Nashville by seven points as the season progresses toward its business end.
This is not the first time Messi's on-field conduct has drawn scrutiny during his stint in MLS, though such disciplinary actions against the World Cup winner remain rare given his usually composed demeanor on the pitch. The incident nonetheless underscores the physical and often combative nature of MLS fixtures, even for a player of Messi's global stature and reputation for calm under pressure.
Neither Messi nor Inter Miami have issued public comment on the fine as of yet, and it remains unclear whether the forward will face any additional punishment or if the matter is now considered closed by league officials. The Union, for their part, have also stayed quiet on the fallout from the ill-tempered draw, with focus now shifting to both clubs' upcoming fixtures as the MLS regular season enters its final stretch.
Based on reporting from The Guardian and BBC Sport.