Miami (AFP) – Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer after grabbing the neck of a New York City assistant coach at the end of Saturday’s game. The Argentine World Cup winner was caught on camera in a confrontation with NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy after the final whistle.
Messi twice put his hands on the back of Ballouchy’s neck during the arguments. MLS said in a statement that their disciplinary committee had ruled that he had violated the league’s “Hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy.”
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Messi had just set up a stoppage time equalizer for teammate Telasco Segovia in the 2-2 draw at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium in the season opener. Messi’s teammate, Uruguayan Luis Suarez, also received a similar fine for putting his hands on the back of the neck of NYCFC defender Birk Risa at half-time.
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