Messi under disciplinary review after physical incident in Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw at Philadelphia
Lionel Messi could face a suspension after a physical confrontation with a Philadelphia Union player during Inter Miami’s MLS Eastern Conference away draw with Philadelphia on Wednesday night, a game in which he also scored and dedicated his goal to his father, Jorge, who died at 68 following an illness.
Messi, 39, scored to put Inter Miami 1-2 ahead in the first half of the match, but the visitors were unable to hold that lead and the contest finished 2-2 in Philadelphia. The report says the incident will be examined by MLS’s Disciplinary Committee and that disciplinary action may follow.
The match included a confrontation in which Messi struck Quinn Sullivan amid a disagreement; the two players stood face to face for about a minute during the exchange. The coverage also describes Messi as having been involved in a broader scuffle during the game.
Separate reporting states Messi "reportedly made contact with Cavan Sullivan’s head in the second half." Deep into stoppage time, Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan and Yannick Bright were both sent off after a late scuffle; the article adds that Cavan Sullivan "has already been recruited by Manchester City."
The source includes the Spanish line: "Esta acción de Lionel Messi será evaluada por el Comité Disciplinario.Lo más normal sería que resulte en una sanción económica. La ley permite suspensión de partido.Sucedió en el segundo tiempo del empate frente a Philadelphia Union.#InterMiamiCF #Messi…" and the English sentence: "Lionel Messi’s behaviour during Inter Miami CF’s match against Philadelphia Union will be reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee. He reportedly made contact with Cavan Sullivan’s head in the second half. The expected conclusion is a fine, although a match suspension is also an option under the rules."
The report states that, were Messi to be suspended, he would miss Inter Miami’s next match against Toronto on Saturday and that any suspension would be a single game; it also notes: "It’s on Sunday, 23rd August 5 am IST."
The MLS Disciplinary Committee is expected to reach a decision in the coming days, and that ruling will determine whether Messi is available for Inter Miami’s next fixture against Toronto.
