Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) has been fined for striking an opposing player on the neck during an argument in a match. The referee did not see the incident at the time and issued no card, but a disciplinary committee reviewed the case after the game and imposed a penalty.
According to AFP and other foreign media, the Major League Soccer (MLS) disciplinary committee fined Messi on the 22nd, KST, saying he had "violated the rule prohibiting players from making contact with an opponent's face, head or neck." The exact amount of the fine was not disclosed.
The incident occurred during an away match against Philadelphia Union on the 20th of this month. With the score tied 2-2, Messi got into an argument with Philadelphia's Quinn Sullivan near the halfway line during second-half stoppage time.
While complaining about the use of an elbow, Messi struck Sullivan on the neck with his left hand. An angered Sullivan immediately approached Messi and pressed his head against him in a heated confrontation, before the referee separated the two.
Because the referee did not directly see Messi strike Sullivan at the time, no card was issued. The MLS disciplinary committee ultimately fined Messi after the match ended.
