MLS Issues Two Inter Miami Fines Following Stoppage-Time Confrontations

Major League Soccer has fined Inter Miami players Lionel Messi and Ian Fray undisclosed amounts following separate incidents during second-half stoppage time in Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Philadelphia Union. The league announced the disciplinary decisions on Friday, according to reports from BBC Sport, the Associated Press and EFE.

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MLS said its disciplinary committee found that Messi violated the league's policy covering hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent. The incident occurred in the 101st minute and involved Philadelphia's Quinn Sullivan. The Associated Press reported that Messi made contact with the back of Sullivan's neck as the players exchanged words late in the match.

The amount of Messi's fine was not disclosed. EFE reported that the contact came before the referee arrived to separate the players. No suspension was included in the announced sanction, leaving the financial penalty as the confirmed discipline arising from that exchange.

Fray was fined over a different incident involving the same Philadelphia player. The Associated Press reported that Sullivan lost his footing while dribbling into the penalty area and became tangled with Fray, who then grabbed him around the neck. Sullivan got back to his feet and tackled Fray as the confrontation escalated during a disorderly conclusion to the game.

The disciplinary decisions followed a match in which Messi also had a major influence on the score. The Associated Press reported that he scored and supplied an assist, while EFE said his goal temporarily put Inter Miami 2-1 ahead. Philadelphia ultimately recovered to secure the 2-2 draw.

The same MLS disciplinary update included a separate punishment from another match. Minnesota United defender Anthony Markanich was fined for embellishment during the second half of his team's 2-1 defeat by Atlanta United, according to the Associated Press. As with the Inter Miami penalties, the reported announcement did not specify the amount of that fine.