Major League Soccer has fined Lionel Messi after the Inter Miami captain was seen “grabbing” a New York City FC coach by the neck.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee imposed the fine on the 37-year-old forward following an incident at the end of the 2-2 draw with New York City FC on February 22.
Messi was seen approaching a member of the opposition coaching staff and placing his hand on the back of their neck during an argument.
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MLS issued a statement confirming that Messi had violated the league’s “Hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy.”
The incident occurred after Messi assisted in a stoppage-time equalizer for his teammate Telasco Segovia, securing a 2-2 draw at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium in the season opener.
In a separate case, Messi’s teammate Luis Suarez was also fined for violating the same policy after pinching the back of New York City FC player Birk Risa’s neck during a halftime altercation.