MLS Declines to Sanction Messi After Post-Match Confrontation
League officials said he did not enter a restricted area, resulting in no disciplinary case.
Overview
- Professional Referee Organization spokesperson Chris Rivett told ESPN that Messi never entered the officials’ facilities, so no rule was breached.
- With no case referred to the disciplinary panel, Messi is expected to be available for Inter Miami’s Week 2 trip to Orlando.
- The confrontation followed Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss to Los Angeles FC in the MLS season opener at the Memorial Coliseum.
- Smartphone video circulating showed Messi moving toward the tunnel and being restrained by teammate Luis Suárez.
- LAFC’s win featured Denis Bouanga scoring in the 73rd minute and adding a stoppage-time assist, with Hugo Lloris highlighted as a key presence, before a crowd of nearly 76,000 described as the league’s second-largest.