Arizona Tribune - Messi fined by MLS over confrontation

NYSE - LSE
RBGPF 0% 76.02 $
RYCEF 3.73% 17.98 $
NGG 0.41% 83.6 $
VOD -0.97% 15.49 $
CMSC -1.54% 19.5 $
GSK 0.08% 50.64 $
BCE -0.75% 21.35 $
RELX -0.15% 40.04 $
RIO -2.03% 83.28 $
BTI -0.02% 61.04 $
JRI -1.3% 11.56 $
BCC -2.36% 67.92 $
CMSD -2.15% 19.51 $
BP 1.22% 45.82 $
AZN -0.6% 184.38 $
Messi fined by MLS over confrontation
Messi fined by MLS over confrontation / Photo: Megan Briggs - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Messi fined by MLS over confrontation

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.

Text size:

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 the 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".

Messi had just set-up a stoppage time equaliser for team-mate Telasco Segovia in the 2-2 draw at Inter Miami's Chase Stadium in the season opener.

Messi's team-mate Uruguayan Luis Suarez also received a similar fine for putting his hands on the back of the neck of NYFC defender Birk Risa at half-time.

P.Smith--AT