Major League Soccer has fined Inter Miami players Lionel Messi and Ian Fray for making contact with the head and neck area of opponents. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
On Friday, MLS officials announced that both players were fined undisclosed amounts. The incidents occurred during second-half stoppage time of the match against Philadelphia on Wednesday night. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.
During a verbal exchange between Messi and Philadelphia's Quinn Sullivan, Messi slapped Sullivan on the back of the neck. In that match, Messi scored his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi, and added an assist.
Sullivan was also involved in the incident that led to Fray's fine. After Sullivan lost his footing while dribbling into the penalty area, he got tangled with Fray, who grabbed his neck. Sullivan jumped up and tackled Fray.
Additionally, Minnesota United FC defender Anthony Markanich was fined for embellishment in the second half of a 2-1 loss to Atlanta United on Wednesday.