Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer after slapping Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan during a heated 2-2 draw between the sides.
The incident occurred towards the closing stages of Wednesday’s match at Subaru Park, with Messi appearing to react after claiming Sullivan had elbowed him immediately after he had played the ball.
The Inter Miami captain reached around Sullivan and slapped the back of his head, prompting an angry reaction from the Philadelphia player before the referee intervened.
MLS confirmed that Messi had been fined but did not disclose the amount.
The Argentina international was involved in another significant moment earlier in the match, scoring Miami’s second goal to end a personal scoring drought.
It was Messi’s first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who died aged 68 following a long illness. Messi had returned to Argentina for his father’s funeral before rejoining Inter Miami.
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The confrontation with Sullivan was not the only flashpoint involving the Philadelphia midfielder.
Inter Miami defender Ian Fray was also fined after grabbing Sullivan by the neck when the two became entangled following an incident inside the penalty area.
The ill-tempered contest eventually produced two stoppage-time red cards, with Miami’s Yannick Bright and Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan both dismissed.
Cavan Sullivan’s subsequent one-match suspension was later rescinded following a review.
Despite the disciplinary drama, the point keeps Inter Miami second in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind leaders Nashville.
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The draw was overshadowed by an unusual disciplinary moment as the 39-year-old Messi found himself punished for an altercation on a night when his return to the scoresheet had initially provided a more positive storyline.
The match also came against the backdrop of Messi’s uncertain future, after he paid tribute to his late father and suggested that he may not continue playing football for much longer.
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