Major League Soccer has fined Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi for a heated confrontation with Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan in the 2-2 draw on Wednesday. Messi received a red card for hitting Sullivan with the palm of his hand in the back of his head late in the game. The clash came after Messi seemed annoyed with Sullivan about a challenge, contending that it had elbowed him.
When Sullivan was touched, he became angry but the referee stopped the fight before it got completely out of hand. MLS confirmed that Messi had been fined, but could not specify the amount.
It was a matchup with plenty of action for Messi as he put Inter Miami on the scoreboard with his second goal of the game at Subaru Park. His first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi, and it came with an emotional twist as well since it was an otherwise rough night for the Argentina international.
Messi wasn’t the only Inter Miami player on the receiving end of discipline after the encounter. Defender Ian Fray was also fined, having grabbed Sullivan around the neck in a separate incident.
Sullivan had lost his footing as he was approaching the penalty area when he was caught up in a tangle with Fray. Miami defender then grabbed the Philly player, toppping the pressure on the two sides.
The rowdy battle culminated in two stoppage time red cards. Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright and Philadelphia midfielder Cavan Sullivan, Quinn’s brother, were both sent off after a clash of personalities.
