MLS hands Lionel Messi financial penalty over incident with Quinn Sullivan
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has handed Lionel Messi an undisclosed financial penalty after the 39-year-old struck Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan on the back of the head during Wednesday’s match, reports BritPanorama.
The incident occurred deep into stoppage time of Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with the Union, with the league’s official statement confirming it took place in the “101st+ minute” of the fixture.
Messi was found to have breached MLS policy prohibiting players from making contact with an opponent’s face, head or neck area. The Argentine forward slapped Sullivan, 22, during a heated exchange at Subaru Park on August 19.
The altercation appeared to have been sparked by Sullivan catching Messi with an elbow after the Argentine had released the ball. Officials stepped in swiftly to prevent the confrontation from escalating further. The fixture at Philadelphia’s ground was a fractious affair throughout its closing stages, with two players receiving red cards late on: Inter Miami’s Yannick Bright and Cavan Sullivan — Quinn’s brother — both sent off during added time.
The dismissals capped a particularly ill-tempered conclusion to a contest that had already seen tensions boil over between the two sides. Inter Miami teammate Ian Fray was separately penalised by the league’s disciplinary panel for his own clash with Sullivan during the same match.
Despite the controversy, Miami’s season remains on track. The club currently occupies second place in the Eastern Conference standings, trailing Nashville by seven points at the summit.
The fine for Messi, whose exact amount has not been disclosed, represents a rare disciplinary sanction for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner since his move to American football. The league’s statement made clear that its policy on contact to the head and neck area applied regardless of the severity of the strike.
In the world of professional football, where emotions often run high, this incident serves as a reminder that even the greatest players are not above scrutiny, illustrating the game’s fine line between competitiveness and conduct.
