World
Lionel Messi: Inter Miami forward handed a fine for grabbing neck of New York City assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy
Lionel Messi has been hit with an undisclosed fine for grabbing the neck of a New York City assistant coach at the end of the match on Saturday.
The World Cup winner was seen on camera in a confrontation with NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy after the final whistle. He twice put his hands on the back of the coach’s neck.
The MLS said in a statement that his actions violated the league’s “hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy”.
Messi set up a stoppage time equaliser against New York FC
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.
Luis Suarez was also fined after the NYFC game
