Lionel Messi of Inter Miami has been fined for clutching the neck of New York City FC coach Mehdi Ballouchy, but he will not face a suspension for the incident.
Messi twice placed his hands on the back of Ballouchy’s neck as the final whistle blew in his team’s MLS season opener. The game had ended all square, with the Argentina star setting up Telasco Segovia’s stoppage-time equaliser.
Fellow Inter Miami player Luis Suarez has also received a punishment. Suarez put his hands on NYCFC defender Birk Risa’s neck during halftime, eliciting a strong response from the Norwegian.
The game marked Javier Mascherano’s first MLS game as manager. The former Argentina international, who previously played with Messi and Suarez at Barcelona, averted defeat in the opener despite his team playing for more than an hour with 10 men.
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“The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount for violating the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy following the conclusion of Inter Miami’s match against New York City FC on February 22,” according to a statement from the league. A similar statement was released in response to Suarez’s offense. Reported By Mirror News.
Toto Aviles gave Mascherano’s squad the lead early on, slipping the ball home after Messi rolled it across goal. Aviles’ race was raced only 23 minutes in, but he was issued a straight red card for a last-man foul on Alonso Martinez.
NYCFC were level immediately, with Mitja Ilenic scoring off a superb free-kick play, and Martinez put them ahead early
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