Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount for grabbing a New York City FC coach by the neck following Saturday’s MLS season opener, the league announced.
It was reported that the video footage captured Messi approaching the coach and grabbing the back of his neck.
The incident occurred after the final whistle when Messi received a yellow card for a verbal altercation with referee Alexis Da Silva. As he exited the pitch, Messi engaged in a brief argument with Ballouchy, covering his mouth while speaking.
Messi initially walked away but then turned back and grabbed the back of Ballouchy’s neck, applying enough pressure to visibly stun him.
This development, it was noted, prompted the coach to pull away from the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner after the 2-2 draw in Miami.
“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,” said a statement from the league on Tuesday.
In a separate incident from the same match, Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez Messi’s teammate was also fined an undisclosed amount for a similar gesture in the game, grabbing the back of NYCFC defender Birk Risa’s neck at the end of the first half.
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Messi had earlier played a key role in Miami’s comeback, assisting Telasco Segovia’s stoppage-time equalizer in the thrilling season opener at Chase Stadium.
Inter Miami had been reduced to 10 players midway through the first half when scorer Tomás Avilés was adjudged to have fouled Alonso Martínez in front of goal, despite appearing to win the ball.
After goals from Mitja Ilenič and Martínez had given NYCFC a 2-1 lead, Miami managed to salvage a draw when Messi, who had two assists in the game, put Segovia through on goal, allowing the midfielder to chip the ball into the net.
Miami was also in action in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Tuesday, defeating Sporting Kansas City 3-1 and progressing to the round of 16 thanks to goals from Messi, Suárez and Tadeo Allende.
