Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer (MLS) for an altercation with New York City FC’s assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy after Saturday’s match.
The Argentine footballer was filmed grabbing Ballouchy by the neck twice during a heated exchange after the final whistle of the 2-2 draw at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium.
MLS’s disciplinary committee ruled that Messi’s actions violated the league’s policy regarding “Hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent.” The confrontation occurred shortly after Messi assisted Telasco Segovia’s stoppage-time equaliser.
In a related incident, Messi’s teammate, Luis Suarez, was also fined for a similar action involving NYFC defender Birk Risa during halftime.
