The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended Lionel Messi for one match after the Inter Miami star slapped Philadelphia Union player Quinn Sullivan in the face during a tense encounter between the two teams.
The incident occurred in the final minutes of the match when Messi approached Sullivan. After a brief exchange, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion slapped Sullivan, with the two players facing each other in a fighting stance.
The referee, whose back was turned when the incident occurred, stepped in to separate the players but did not issue a card. He did, however, send off Cavan Sullivan, Quinn’s younger brother and teammate, as well as Miami midfielder Yannick Bright of Italy, following another confrontation in Miami’s penalty area during stoppage time.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee punished Messi for using his hands “to the face/head/neck of an opponent.”
During the match, Lionel Messi scored his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8.
Miami has now gone four games without a win and is seven points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville.
