Inter Miami: Too protective, Lionel Messi's bodyguard suspended | OneFootball

Lionel Messi

After being barred from the sidelines in MLS, Lionel Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko has now been suspended for the Leagues Cup, according to ESPN. The tournament's disciplinary committee had announced that a member of the Inter Miami delegation was banned from the technical areas for the remainder of the competition. ESPN confirmed that the person in question was Messi’s personal security staff.

The decision follows an incident during the opening match of the tournament, on July 31, against Mexico's CF Atlas. At the final whistle, a scuffle broke out between players from both teams in the center of the pitch. Cheuko was seen stepping onto the field to protect Messi, notably pushing away two players from the Mexican side. The tournament organizers deemed this intervention unauthorized, leading to Yassine Cheuko’s suspension.

"I understand Messi's bodyguard is there to protect him from a potential pitch invader. I get that, but between players, he doesn't have that permission," said Atlas defender Dória at the final whistle.