MLS fines Lionel Messi after strike in 2-2 draw with Philadelphia

Inter Miami drew 2-2 with Philadelphia before Major League Soccer fined Lionel Messi and teammate Ian Fray for separate incidents involving opponents. The league did not disclose the value of either fine.

Messi was punished for making contact with Quinn Sullivan during the closing stages of the match. MLS said the offence fell under its rule covering contact with an opponent’s face, head or neck.

The incident occurred near the centre circle during stoppage time, while play continued elsewhere on the field. Messi moved towards Sullivan and, after a short exchange, struck the Philadelphia player on the back of the neck. Sullivan responded by standing face-to-face with Messi.

Referee Filip Dujic did not see the initial contact as it happened because he was facing away from the players. He reached the pair soon afterwards and separated them, but neither Messi nor Quinn Sullivan received a card for the exchange.

The match also produced two stoppage-time red cards after another confrontation in Inter Miami’s penalty area. Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan, Quinn’s younger brother and teammate, was sent off along with Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright.

Fray received his fine for the same category of offence as Messi. The disciplinary action followed a match in which late incidents overshadowed the final score, with the two teams sharing the points after the 2-2 result.