Lionel Messi and Ian Fray Are Fined over Separate Incidents Involving Inter Miami Teammates
MLS fined Lionel Messi and Ian Fray for separate head and neck contact after a stoppage-time scuffle in a 2-2 draw, officials said.
- On Friday, MLS announced undisclosed fines for Lionel Messi and Ian Fray for making contact to opponents' head and neck areas during Wednesday's 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union.
- The discipline stems from second-half stoppage time altercations: Messi slapped Quinn Sullivan on the back of the neck, while Fray stepped over Sullivan after he was tackled, sparking a skirmish.
- "Respectfully, Messi, you do not come into Philly doing that," former Union striker C.J. Sapong said Friday, noting the Sullivan brothers' competitive mentality instilled from a young age.
- Despite the fines, Inter Miami will have both Messi and Fray available for Saturday's match against Toronto FC, a critical contest as the team fights for Eastern Conference position.
- Messi's disciplinary history includes prior MLS fines; the league's announcement followed FIFA's recent $321,000 fine against Argentina for team misconduct and discriminatory gestures at the World Cup.
62 Articles
62 Articles
Lionel Messi was punished with a fine the amount of which was not disclosed for slapping an opponent in the MLS match between his club Inter Miami in Philadelphia (2-2), Wednesday. ...
Lionel Messi Handed Big Punishment For Slapping Opponent During MLS Clash
Major League Soccer fined Inter Miami's Argentine superstar Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount on Friday for slapping Philadelphia's Quinn Sullivan on the back of the neck in the clubs' 2-2 draw.
Lionel Messi Fined by MLS for Slapping Philadelphia Union’s Quinn Sullivan During Inter Miami’s 2–2 Draw | ⚽ LatestLY
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has been hit with an undisclosed fine by Major League Soccer for slapping Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan during a contentious 2-2 draw on August 19, 2026. The league's Disciplinary Committee announced the sanction on August 21, following an incident where Messi made contact with Sullivan. ⚽ Lionel Messi Fined by MLS for Slapping Philadelphia Union’s Quinn Sullivan During Inter Miami’s 2–2 Draw.
Lionel Messi fined for slapping opponent on the head as Inter Miami-Philadelphia clash erupts into late red-card chaos
Lionel Messi was fined by MLS after slapping Philadelphia's Quinn Sullivan on the head as Inter Miami's 2-2 draw desecended into stoppage-time chaos.
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Young-ho = Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) who struck an opposing player on the back of the neck during an argument while playing in the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) match...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
