Major League Soccer has fined Lionel Messi after the Inter Miami captain grabbed a New York City FC coach by the neck.
An enraged Messi could be seen approaching NYCFC assistant Mehdi Ballouchy and grabbing the back of his neck, causing him to pull away from the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
MLS also fined Luis Suarez for violating the same ‘face/head/neck of an opponent policy’ during halftime, when he pinched the back of Norwegian defender Birk Risa’s neck. The precise amount each player was fined is unclear.
The 37-year-old Messi initially fumed at the referee after Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw on Saturday night.
Messi had salvaged a point for Miami in their MLS opener, after weaving through New York City FC’s defense to set up Telasco Segovia for a last-gasp goal.
But the Argentine star then suffered a dramatic meltdown following the final whistle. Messi first confronted the referee, angrily pointing at Rosendo Mendoza and berating the official.
Lionel Messi grabbed the neck of NYCFC assistant Mehdi Ballouchy after the teams’ 2-2 draw
He also fumed at referee Rosendo Mendoza and earned himself a yellow card with his arguing
MLS also fined Luis Suarez for violating the same ‘face/head/neck of an opponent policy’
The referee instructed Messi to walk away, only for the 37-year-old to continue his complaints. That earned him a yellow card.
As Messi then made his way off the field, NYCFC’s Ballouchy appeared to say something to the Inter Miami captain, sparking to a fiery exchange between the pair.
Two Miami assistants stepped in to diffuse the situation, and it appeared Messi was ready to walk away.
But the 37-year-old then returned and put his hand on Ballouchy’s neck – much to the coach’s shock.