Messi was fined after being caught attempting to slap an opponent's head.
The Major League Soccer organizers fined Lionel Messi, the Argentine striker for Inter Miami, due to inappropriate behavior when he tried to slap the head of Quinn Sullivan from Philadelphia Union.
The incident happened in the 101st minute of the game between Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union on 19 August. Messi appeared upset after Sullivan elbowed him following a pass. The referee had to intervene to prevent the situation from escalating.
This match was highly intense, with two players receiving red cards during stoppage time: Yannick Brite of Miami and Kavan Sullivan, Quinn Sullivan's younger brother, who was sent off late in the game.
The MLS disciplinary committee stated that Messi was fined but did not reveal the amount, citing a violation of the league's policy against using hands to touch an opponent's face, head, or neck.
Additionally, Ian Fray of Inter Miami was also fined by MLS for an altercation with Quinn Sullivan.
Currently, Inter Miami is second in the Eastern Conference, trailing Nashville by 7 points.