Messi fined by MLS for post-match incident with NYCFC assistant coach; Suarez also fined

Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald on Feb 25, 2025

Published in Soccer

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MIAMI — Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were fined an undisclosed amount by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for touching the necks of a New York City FC player and coach during separate heated arguments during their season opener on Saturday night at Chase Stadium.

The MLS Disciplinary Committee announced on Tuesday that both players violated the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy. Suarez’s incident was during halftime of the 2-2 tie and Messi’s was after the game. It was the first disciplinary fine for Messi since he joined the league in July 2023. He also was issued a yellow card as he walked toward the tunnel following the incident.

After the final whistle blew, Messi was seen protesting to lead official Alexis Da Silva, who pulled out the yellow card. NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy seemed to say something to Messi at that point, and the Argentine player approached him, turned away, and then came back and touched the back of his neck as he said something and gestured toward the tunnel.

Suarez made contact with the back of the neck of NYCFC defender Birk Risa after the halftime whistle as both players argued whether New York player Strahinja Tanasijevic should have received a second yellow card and ejection for a foul on Suarez at midfield just before halftime.

Miami was playing a man down at that point after Inter Miami’s Toto Aviles was ejected in the 23rd minute for a foul.

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano was asked on Monday about Messi’s contact with the opposing coach.

“I don’t have much to say, it’s difficult when you’re on the pitch and sometimes you think things aren’t going the right way, especially when you see the referee made some mistake,” he said. “At the end, in futbol, to understand the emotions of the players, you have to be inside the pitch. It’s difficult sometimes to control emotions. I think the press sometimes want to [stir up] a circus about it and that happens in every game when you discuss with a referee or opposing players.”

Messi had two assists in the game, the first to Aviles in the fifth minute and the second in the 100th minute to Telasco Segovia for the equalizer.

The announcement of the fines to Messi and Suarez came hours before Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup game against Sporting KC at Chase Stadium (8 p.m., FS2, TUDN). Miami won the away leg 1-0 on a Messi goal. The winner on aggregate scoring advances to the Round of 16.