Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami star, has been fined for slapping Philadelphia Union’s Bangladeshi-origin player Quinn Sullivan during a Major League Soccer (MLS) match. Tournament authorities have not disclosed the amount of the fine.
Late in the August 20 match, which ended 2-2 against Philadelphia, Messi struck the back of Sullivan’s head. The incident began after Sullivan complained that Messi had elbowed him following a challenge for the ball. Sullivan reacted angrily to the slap, before the referee quickly brought the situation under control.
Messi scored Miami’s second goal in that match — his first goal since his father’s death. Messi’s father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi, died at 68 after a long illness. Messi was in Argentina to attend his father’s funeral.
Messi was not the only player punished over the clash with Sullivan. Miami’s Ian Fray was also fined. After Sullivan fell inside the box, a scuffle broke out between the two, during which Fray grabbed him by the throat.
Two red cards were also shown in stoppage time in the heated match. Miami’s Yannick Bright and Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan were both sent off. On review, however, Cavan’s one-match ban was overturned.
Miami currently sit second in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind leaders Nashville.
Following his father’s death, Messi has also hinted at his own future. In a lengthy message remembering his father, the Argentina captain suggested his journey in football may not last much longer.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report