A slap on the back of the neck lands Messi in trouble: decisive decision from the American league | Goal.com
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has been fined for an incident involving Philadelphia Union's Quinn Sullivan in the 2-2 draw between the two sides, after the Argentine struck his opponent on the back of the neck in the closing minutes.
Major League Soccer's disciplinary committee said Messi had breached the league's policy on touching the face, head or neck of an opponent. The committee did not disclose the amount of the fine.
It happened deep in stoppage time. Messi approached Sullivan while the ball was in another area of the pitch, the pair exchanged words, and the Argentine then landed a blow to the back of the Philadelphia man's neck.
Sullivan shot back sharp glances before referee Philip Deutsch stepped in to separate the players. Deutsch showed no card to either man, having missed the incident as it happened.
Messi was not the only one punished. The disciplinary committee also handed an undisclosed fine to Inter Miami's Ian Fray for a similar breach relating to touching the face, head or neck of an opponent.
Tension ran high right up until the final whistle. The match finished 2-2, but one of its flashpoints moved from the pitch to the disciplinary committee, which settled the matter by fining Messi and his team-mate.
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