Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer for slapping the back of Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan's neck during Inter Miami's fractious 2-2 draw at Subaru Park, ONE reports, with the league's disciplinary committee stepping in after the incident escaped punishment on the night.
The flashpoint came deep into second-half stoppage time, in the 101st minute, after an exchange of words between the two players. Messi delivered a quick, open-handed slap to the back of Sullivan's neck, prompting the referee to intervene before it escalated further.
MLS said the fine — an undisclosed amount, as is standard league practice — was issued for violating its policy on hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent. Messi was not shown a card during the match itself, meaning the punishment came only after a post-match video review.
He was not alone in facing sanction from the same passage of play. Inter Miami defender Ian Fray was also fined for making contact with Sullivan's neck and throat area after the Union player lost his balance and fell into the technical area during the same scuffle.
Tempers boiled over again before the final whistle, with Miami's Yannick Bright and Philadelphia's Cavan Sullivan — Quinn's 16-year-old younger brother — both shown red cards for a separate off-the-ball altercation. MLS's independent review panel later rescinded Cavan Sullivan's card, along with the one-match suspension and fine that came with it.
The chaotic finish overshadowed a productive night for Messi on the pitch. He set up Inter Miami's opener for the first goal before curling home his own effort from 12 yards, taking his tally to 13 goals and nine assists in 17 MLS appearances this season. Indiana Vassilev and teenage defender Neil Pierre scored for the Union either side of the break to secure the draw.
Messi avoided any suspension over the slapping incident, meaning he remains available for Inter Miami's upcoming meeting with Toronto FC. The fine is a reminder that MLS treats head-and-neck contact seriously regardless of a player's profile, even when the referee lets it pass in the moment.
