Major League Soccer has fined Inter Miami star Lionel Messi an undisclosed sum after he slapped Philadelphia Union forward Quinn Sullivan during a 2-2 draw on Wednesday night. The incident occurred deep into stoppage time during the 101st minute at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. Messi and Sullivan exchanged words off the ball after the Argentine felt he had been elbowed following a pass. Video footage shows Messi delivering an open-handed slap to the back of Sullivan’s head. The pair briefly squared up forehead-to-forehead before the referee and Miami midfielder Yannick Bright stepped in. No card was shown on the pitch.
MLS confirmed on Friday that its disciplinary committee sanctioned Messi for violating the league’s policy on hands to an opponent’s face, head or neck. Teammate Ian Fray received a similar fine for a separate clash with Sullivan later in the same chaotic sequence. The exact amounts were not disclosed and Messi faces no suspension. The Argentina player had scored a goal and also made an assist in this game.
Messi’s goal not enough as Philadelphia get a draw against Miami
The match itself was very closely fought. Philadelphia took an early lead through former Miami striker Indiana Vassilev in the 11th minute. Inter Miami responded quickly as Messi provided the cross that Luis Suárez headed into the path of young forward Daniel Pinter for the equaliser in the 21st minute. Five minutes later Messi produced a moment of individual brilliance, cutting inside and curling a left-footed shot into the corner for a 2-1 half-time lead. It was his first goal since returning to action after the death of his father, Jorge.
The second half belonged more to the hosts. Philadelphia pressed aggressively and equalised in the 58th minute when 18-year-old defender Neil Pierre headed home from close range. Tempers continued to fray as the game remained physical. In the last moments of stoppage time a further melee erupted involving Fray, Sullivan and others, culminating in straight red cards for Miami’s Yannick Bright and Sullivan’s 16-year-old brother Cavan. Cavan’s red card and one-match ban were later rescinded on appeal. Inter Miami remains second in the Eastern Conference.
