Lionel Messi fined after slapping Quinn Sullivan in MLS 2-2 draw

Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer for slapping Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan during Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw. The league also fined Miami defender Ian Fray after he made contact with an opponent’s neck during the match.

Messi’s disciplinary action followed an exchange with Sullivan on Wednesday night. The Inter Miami captain struck Sullivan on the back of the neck as the players argued during the game.

The incident came in a match in which Messi had a direct role in both of Miami’s goals. He scored once and created the other goal with an assist, but his contribution was followed by the confrontation with Sullivan.

The league did not disclose the value of either Messi’s fine or Fray’s fine. Sullivan was also involved in the incident that resulted in disciplinary action against Fray.

The game ended with further trouble in stoppage time, when Miami’s Yannick Bright and Cavan Sullivan of Philadelphia were sent off after an off-the-ball scuffle. MLS later removed Cavan Sullivan’s red card and the one-match suspension attached to it.

The decision was made by the league’s Independent Review Panel, which voted unanimously to overturn Sullivan’s sanction. That leaves the disciplinary outcomes from the match split between the fines for Messi and Fray and the cancellation of Cavan Sullivan’s punishment.