Lionel Messi was fined by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for slapping Philadelphia Union's Quinn Sullivan on the back of the head in the 101st minute of a 2-2 draw on August 19 at Subaru Park in Pennsylvania [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The incident occurred during injury time after Messi complained that Sullivan had elbowed him following a challenge for the ball [1, 2, 4, 5, 6]. MLS released a statement confirming the fine but did not disclose the amount [1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 6]. "The MLS disciplinary committee has fined Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount for violating the league’s policy regarding hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent in the 101st minute of Miami’s match against the Philadelphia Union on 19 August," the league said [2].
Inter Miami defender Ian Fray also received an undisclosed fine for grabbing Quinn Sullivan’s neck in a separate stoppage-time incident during the same match [1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 8, 6]. The intense match featured two red cards: Inter Miami’s Yannick Bright and Philadelphia Union’s Cavan Sullivan, who is Quinn Sullivan’s brother [1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 8, 6]. After review, the MLS Independent Review Panel rescinded Cavan Sullivan’s red card and one-game suspension [3, 7, 8, 6].
At age 39, Messi recently returned from Argentina, where he attended his late father Jorge Messi’s funeral. He scored his second goal for Inter Miami in the match, his first since his father’s passing [1, 7, 6]. Messi expressed uncertainty about his playing future, saying, "我不知道該如何繼續前進 (I don't know how to keep going), 懷疑自己能否繼續踢下去 (doubt if I can continue playing)" [6].
MLS also issued fines to other players during the same round of matches, including Toronto FC’s Walker Zimmerman and Minnesota United’s Anthony Markanich [3, 7].
Inter Miami currently sits second in the MLS Eastern Conference, seven points behind leaders Nashville [1, 2, 4, 5]. MLS is expected to announce further disciplinary updates as the season progresses.
