Lionel Messi fined for grabbing neck of NYCFC assistant coach
Inter Miami CF players Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez have been fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer for violating the “hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent” rule during the team’s season-opening MLS match against New York City FC on Saturday, the league announced Tuesday.
Following the final whistle, Messi made contact with NYCFC assistant Mehdi Ballouchy by grabbing the back of his neck. The assistant coach clenched his shoulders, but he did not retaliate against the player before Messi exited the field and headed to the locker room.
When asked about the discussion between Messi and Ballouchy, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano referred to the situation as a matter of the pitch.
“I don’t have too many things to say. It’s difficult when you are on the pitch,” Mascherano said Monday. “And sometimes you think that things are not going the right way because sometimes you can see some mistakes from the referee. But at the end, in football, to understand the players and the emotions of the player, you have to be inside on the pitch, and [trying] to see from afar, it’s difficult.
“It’s difficult sometimes to control the emotions. I think the press sometimes want to create a circus about it. And that happens in every game that you can discuss with the referee, with some opposing players. It’s like this. It’s important, what we say in Argentina, what we say, the things that happen in the pitch stay in the pitch. And we forget, we are looking forward to the next game.”
In Suárez’s case, the forward was fined for touching NYCFC player Birk Risa on the back of the neck during a heated argument just seconds after the referee signaled for half-time. The two players engaged in an intense discussion before NYCFC’s Strahinja Tanasijević stepped in between Risa and Suárez.
Suárez and Messi will continue to be available for Inter Miami as the team faces Houston Dynamo FC on the second matchday of the 2025 MLS season.
Before traveling to Texas, the Herons will host Sporting Kansas City in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup first-round clash Tuesday night. Inter Miami lead the series 1-0 after defeating SKC at Children’s Mercy Park with a goal from Messi in frigid conditions last week.
Cristiano Ronaldo scores in Al Nassr’s 2-0 win against Al Wehda in the Saudi Pro League. (0:31)
Cristiano Ronaldo apologised after Al Nassr’s game with Al Wehda was delayed due to traffic, before the forward scored and won a penalty in a 2-0 victory in the Saudi Pro League on Tuesday.
Ronaldo, who allowed teammate Sadio Mané to take the penalty, led Al Nassr to the win after the team bus arrived nine minutes after the scheduled kick-off, causing a one-hour delay.
Stefano Pioli’s side are now third with 47 points. They trail leaders Al Ittihad, who have a game in hand, by eight points and second-placed Al Hilal by four.
“It was a tough game. The first half was difficult because we did a journey three hours in the bus because of traffic and the roads were closed,” Ronaldo told SSC sports.
“I want to apologise on behalf of Al Nassr for starting the game late. This is should not happen again. Sorry,” the 40-year-old Portugal international added.
“We started not very good, but in second half we were a little bet better. We fixed our issues and we scored two goals so we are happy.”
Ronaldo praised his teammates as they bounced back following a loss to Al Ettifaq.
“[The comeback][ should be like that. This is Al Nassr we have to react … We have to continue to win and let’s see what’s going to happen.”
Ronaldo said the team’s focus is on both the SPL and AFC Champions League Elite, where they face Esteghlal Tehran in the last 16 on Monday.
“Game-by-game, we have to build again the confidence … We have to do it again we have to win, win, win and let’s see what’s going to happen.”
Ronaldo leads the SPL’s scoring list with 17 goals this season, one ahead of Al Ittihad’s Karim Benzema.
English Premier League
Copa del Rey
German Cup
Coppa Italia
ESPN
EDITOR’S PICKS
Source: Ref gets long ban for Messi autograph
2dCesar Caballero and Adriana Garcia
MLS Power Rankings: Miami snatch point, San Diego stun defending champs Galaxy
1dRyan Rosenblatt
Messi fined after grabbing neck of opposition coach
Former Barcelona forward Lionel Messi won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022
Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount by the MLS for violating the league’s policy relating to raising hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee took the decision to fine Inter Miami forward Messi, 37, following an incident at the end of the 2-2 draw with New York City FC on 22 February.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was seen approaching a member of the opposition coaching staff and putting his hand on the back of their neck.
Team-mate Luis Suarez has also been fined for violating the same MLS policy, after he pinched the back of opposing player Birk Risa’s neck in an incident at half-time.
Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
Get football news sent straight to your phone
Keep smiling and goals will come – Maresca tells Palmer
‘The mood is buzzing, the music is bouncing’ – Palace get their rewards
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid draw in eight-goal thriller
Do something funny for money this Red Nose Day
Comic Relief is hitting the Big 4-0 and this Red Nose Day we’re going big to celebrate!
Franz Ferdinand performs an electrifying session
An effortless collaboration between the BBC Concert Orchestra and Franz Ferdinand
Actor Bryan Cranston traces his father’s family line
Lost connections and unknown histories are revealed as Bryan traces his family trees
Sharing personal stories of discovery and family identity
A death-bed promise to solve a family mystery takes a daughter on a remarkable journey
Keep smiling and goals will come – Maresca tells Palmer
Mourinho v Turkish football – what is going on?
‘The mood is buzzing, the music is bouncing’ – Palace get their rewards
Lions watch week three: Fly-halves, back three & captain
In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week
What did we learn from Ferguson’s Rangers unveiling?
The Premier League perils awaiting Leeds as promotion edges closer
The Carragher & Africa Cup of Nations row explained
Sutton’s predictions v singer Paige Cavell
Is Salah set for greatest individual Premier League season?
Crumbling fortresses – why are teams struggling to win at home?
Inside the doping deal for tennis’ world number one
‘Let’s call it now – the title race is over, Liverpool will be champions’
Who has made Troy’s Premier League team of the week?
‘England have found an edge to bounce back’
Everybody wants Usyk – what next for the heavyweights?
England find a way to win to stay in title mix
Leeds-born Coventry fan Inglis gives England blues with riotous knock
‘Missed opportunities haunt Scotland on rough day’
‘Holte End have a new hero’ – Rashford shines in Aston Villa win
Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
Related topics
Top stories
Elsewhere on the BBC
Elsewhere in Sport
Inter Miami’s Messi, Suárez fined by MLS Disciplinary Committee
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025, 04:00 AM
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has issued the following rulings after Matchday 1 of the 2025 season.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount for violating the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy following the conclusion of Inter Miami’s match against New York City FC on February 22.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suárez an undisclosed amount for violating the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy during halftime of
Inter Miami’s match against New York City FC on February 22.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended Chicago Fire FC midfielder Brian Gutiérrez for one match and issued an undisclosed fine for violent conduct following his actions in the 56th minute of Chicago’s match against the Columbus Crew on February 22.
Gutiérrez will serve his one-match suspension on March 1 when Chicago face D.C. United.
The play was reviewed under MLS Disciplinary Committee Parameter 3, where the match officials see an incident, and do not issue a red card or act on a case of clear and obvious simulation/embellishment that meets the conditions for suspension. Under Parameter 3, the MLS Disciplinary Committee shall issue either a one-match suspension on incidents in which the Professional Referee Organization (PRO) acknowledges an on-field Referee/Video Assistant Referee (VAR) error and the Committee is unanimous at red card and one match suspension or action taken; or the MLS Disciplinary Committee shall issue a two or more match suspension on incidents in which discipline warrants at least a two-match suspension.
The incident in question must be, in the unanimous opinion of the Committee from all available evidence: a clear and unequivocal red card; and egregious or repeat behavior in nature, and/or such that the MLS Disciplinary Committee must act to protect player safety or the integrity of the game; and/or clear and obvious simulation.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Portland Timbers defender Kamal Miller an undisclosed amount for failing to leave the field in a timely manner in the 11th minute of Portland’s match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on February 23.
Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development.
List of Partners (vendors)
