Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer, has found himself in the spotlight for reasons unrelated to his on-field prowess. After a tense 2-2 draw between Inter Miami and New York City FC in Miami, the Major League Soccer (MLS) Disciplinary Committee fined Messi for grabbing a member of New York City FC's coaching staff by the neck. The incident, which was captured on video footage, has raised eyebrows across the sporting community.
The video footage clearly shows Messi approaching the New York City FC coach post-match and grabbing the back of his neck. In response, the coach pulled away from Messi, leading to immediate scrutiny of the incident. The MLS Disciplinary Committee was swift in its response, imposing a fine on Messi for violating the "face/head/neck of an opponent policy." Although the exact amount of the fine remains undisclosed, the action underscores the league’s commitment to enforcing conduct standards.
Messi's teammate, Luis Suarez, also faced similar disciplinary action for his conduct during the same game. At halftime, Suarez pinched the back of Norwegian defender Birk Risa's neck, resulting in a fine under the same policy. These incidents occurred during the MLS opener and have set the tone for a strict enforcement of player conduct regulations this season.
Despite his unparalleled achievements on the pitch, including winning the Ballon d'Or award eight times, Messi's recent actions have drawn criticism. The Inter Miami team must now refocus as they prepare to play Sporting KC later on Tuesday in the CONCACAF Champions Cup—a separate competition from the MLS.
The MLS has made it clear that maintaining decorum on the field is non-negotiable. By taking action against high-profile players like Messi and Suarez, the league aims to send a strong message to all players about adhering to established conduct guidelines.
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