Overview
- Major League Soccer announced monetary fines for Lionel Messi and teammate Ian Fray after an on-field incident in Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw at Philadelphia.
- The league said the sanctions followed a review that found hand contact to the opponent’s neck, a violation of the rule on hands to the face, head or neck.
- Referee Filip Dujic separated the players during the match but issued no cards, which led the Disciplinary Committee to review and act after the game.
- MLS disclosed the type of punishment as fines but did not reveal the amounts and reported no suspensions in its statement.
- The episode drew extra attention because Messi scored in that match, his first goal since his father’s recent death, and the club faces a next fixture in Toronto after the ruling.