Messi’s grip draws fine: MLS disciplines superstar after sideline scuffle

Lionel Messi, the celebrated football maestro, has been slapped with a financial penalty by Major League Soccer (MLS) after a post-match altercation with a New York City FC (NYCFC) assistant coach. The incident, which saw Messi grabbing NYCFC’s Mehdi Ballouchy by the neck, has ignited discussions about player conduct and the league’s commitment to maintaining discipline, even amongst its most iconic figures.   

The confrontation occurred following Inter Miami CF’s heated season opener against NYCFC. Footage of the interaction rapidly spread across social media, showing Messi making contact with Ballouchy in a manner that MLS deemed a clear violation of its player conduct policies. The league’s disciplinary committee subsequently issued a fine to the Argentine superstar.   

MLS officials confirmed that Messi violated the league’s “hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent” policy, a rule designed to prevent aggressive physical altercations. The specific amount of the fine has not been publicly disclosed by the league.   

Adding to the disciplinary actions, Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez, Messi’s long-time teammate and friend, was also penalized for a separate incident during the same match. Suárez received a fine for making contact with NYCFC defender Birk Risa’s neck during a heated exchange that took place at halftime. This double disciplinary action underscores the intensity and contentious nature of the match.   

The Anatomy of the Altercation

The post-match incident involving Messi and Ballouchy transpired amidst a backdrop of heightened emotions. The match itself was a tense affair, punctuated by physical challenges and verbal exchanges. Messi himself received a yellow card during the game for dissent towards the referee, signaling a level of frustration that carried over into the post-match period.   

Videos of the confrontation show Messi approaching Ballouchy and making direct contact with the back of his neck. While the context of the exchange remains partially obscured, the league’s decision to fine Messi indicates that the contact was deemed excessive and a clear breach of its conduct standards.   

MLS’s Firm Stance and Player Reactions

MLS’s swift and decisive action in disciplining Messi and Suárez underscores the league’s commitment to maintaining order and upholding its conduct policies. The league’s message is clear: no player, regardless of their stature or reputation, is exempt from its disciplinary measures.

Inter Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, attempted to downplay the incident, suggesting that the heightened emotions of the match contributed to the altercation. “It’s difficult sometimes to control emotions,” Mascherano stated. “In football, you have to understand the players and the emotions of the game. What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.”   

However, the league’s decision to issue fines indicates that it viewed the incidents as going beyond the normal ebb and flow of a competitive match. Both Messi and Suárez remain eligible to participate in Inter Miami’s upcoming matches.

The Wider Implications for MLS

The fines levied against Messi and Suárez serve as a reminder that even global icons are subject to the rules and regulations of the leagues in which they play. This incident highlights the challenges of balancing the star power of high-profile players with the need to maintain a level playing field and uphold standards of conduct.

For MLS, this incident provides an opportunity to reinforce its commitment to discipline and fair play. It also serves as a cautionary tale for players across the league, emphasizing that aggressive physical contact will not be tolerated.