MLS fines Messi for placing hand on New York City FC assistant coach’s neck

Associated Press

Published Feb 25, 2025 • 1 minute read

Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts after missing a shot on goal during the Major League Soccer (MLS) football match between Inter Miami and New York City at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Feb. 22, 2025. Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA /AFP via Getty Images

NEW YORK — Major League Soccer fined Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount on Tuesday for placing his hand on a New York City FC assistant coach’s neck.

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The incident happened during Saturday’s 2-2 draw.

Messi was exiting the pitch following the full-time whistle after receiving a yellow card for a verbal exchange with referee Alexis Da Silva. The reigning league MVP had some words with New York assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy and covered his mouth as two Miami assistants intervened. Messi started to walk away, then turned back toward Ballouchy. He put his right hand on the back of Ballouchy’s neck and squeezed hard enough that it appeared to stun him.

The league also fined Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez an undisclosed amount for violating the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy in a separate incident in that match. He grabbed New York defender Birk Risa by the back of the neck during a skirmish following the halftime whistle.

Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutierrez was suspended one match and fined an undisclosed amount for knocking down Columbus’ Yevhen Cheberko with a high elbow to the head in a 4-2 season-opening loss on Saturday. He will miss the home opener against D.C. United on Saturday.

The league also fined Portland Timbers defender Kamal Miller an undisclosed amount for failing to leave the field in a timely manner against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday after getting sent off with a red card in the 11th minute.

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