Lionel Messi fined for striking opponent in Inter Miami MLS game
Published On 22 Aug 202622 Aug 2026.
Published On 22 Aug 202622 Aug 2026.
Article outline
- What happened
- What comes next
- The bottom line
Key points
- The incident occurred in the 101st minute of Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with the host Philadelphia Union on Wednesday in Chester.
- Minnesota United FC defender Anthony Markanich was fined for violating league policy on simulation/embellishment in the 71st minute of a 2-1 loss to Atlanta United on Wednesday.
- Sullivan is now eligible to play for the Union in their next match, on Saturday at Austin FC.
- MLS additionally fined Inter Miami defender Ian Fray for the same violation.
- When his one-game suspension and accompanying fine for the red card were rescinded, sullivan obtained good news on Friday.
In practice, the Major League Soccer (MLS) Disciplinary Committee has fined superstar Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount for violating the league's policy on hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent, the league has confirmed.
For context, the incident occurred in the 101st minute of Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with the host Philadelphia Union on Wednesday in Chester.
MLS additionally fined Inter Miami defender Ian Fray for the same violation. Tempers flared deep in second-half stoppage time as Miami's Yannick Bright and Philadelphia's Cavan Sullivan were shown red cards.
When his one-game suspension and accompanying fine for the red card were rescinded, sullivan obtained good news on Friday. The Independent Review Panel, consisting of one representative from US Soccer, one representative from Canada Soccer and one independent representative nominated by the Professional Referee Organization, unanimously voted in Sullivan's favour for the incident in the 102nd minute.
Sullivan is now eligible to play for the Union in their next match, on Saturday at Austin FC. Each MLS club is entitled to two unsuccessful appeals per season, including the league playoffs. Philadelphia, successful in its appeal on Sullivan's red card, still has two unsuccessful appeals for 2026.
MLS additionally fined Toronto FC defender Walker Zimmerman an undisclosed amount for failing to leave the field in a timely manner after being shown a red card in the 56th minute of a 3-3 home draw with Charlotte FC on Wednesday.
Taken together, the developments around lionel Messi fined for striking opponent in Inter Miami MLS game point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.
