Lionel Messi fined for slapping opponent in Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer for unsporting conduct after slapping an opponent during Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with Philadelphia Union on Thursday, with the undisclosed amount described by US outlets as small given his salary.

In the closing minutes of a heated contest, the 2022 World Cup winner approached Philadelphia’s Quinn Sullivan. After a brief exchange, Messi slapped his opponent in the face.

MLS’s disciplinary committee sanctioned the Argentine for making contact with an opponent’s face, head or neck with his hands.

Messi had earlier scored for Inter Miami. It was his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s clash with Sullivan was not his first flashpoint in MLS.

Source: L'Équipe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”