Lionel Messi fined by MLS for slapping opponent during Inter Miami draw
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi and team-mate Ian Fray have been fined by Major League Soccer for striking opponents during a chaotic draw against Philadelphia Union.
The league announced on Friday that both players received undisclosed financial penalties for making contact with the head and neck area of rival players.
These separate incidents occurred deep into second-half stoppage time during Wednesday’s fiercely contested 2-2 stalemate.
Late drama leads to disciplinary action
The Argentine superstar was sanctioned after slapping Quinn Sullivan on the back of the neck as the pair exchanged heated words.
Despite the late altercation, the World Cup winner enjoyed a productive evening on the pitch by contributing a goal and an assist.
That strike carried deep emotional weight, marking his first goal since the recent passing of his father, Jorge.
Tensions boiled over entirely when Sullivan slipped inside the penalty area and became tangled with Fray.
Red card rescinded after review
The resulting fracas saw the Miami defender grab his opponent by the neck, prompting the Union midfielder to jump up and tackle him.
An off-the-ball scuffle then resulted in stoppage-time red cards being shown to Miami midfielder Yannick Bright and Sullivan’s younger brother, Cavan.
However, Major League Soccer has now confirmed the rescinding of Cavan Sullivan’s dismissal and subsequent one-match suspension.
An Independent Review Panel voted unanimously to overturn the sanction against the Philadelphia teenager.
Further league sanctions
In a separate ruling, the governing body also handed down a financial penalty to Minnesota United defender Anthony Markanich.
The full-back was fined for embellishment during his side’s 2-1 defeat to Atlanta United on the same evening.