LIONEL Messi and Luis Suarez have both been FINED for “violating” a little known MLS rule.
The Inter Miami duo were hit with an undisclosed fine for their actions during a 2-2 draw with New York City FC in Saturday’s season opener.
Messi has been punished for grabbing the neck of a New York City assistant coach during a post-match war of words.
The World Cup winner was heading off the pitch before turning to confront coach Mehdi Ballouchy after the final whistle.
Messi appeared agitated as the pair went back and forth, before the Argentine briefly rested his hand on Ballouchy’s neck, who pulled away from the superstar.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner began walking away, before turning around to hold onto the back of Ballouchy’s neck for a second time.
Messi had initially fumed at referee Rosendo Mendoza at full-time, and was handed a post-match yellow card on his way down the tunnel for his outburst.
Ballouchy then appeared to say something to the Inter Miami captain, sparking to a fiery exchange between the pair.
Team-mate Luis Suarez has also been fined for violating the same MLS policy earlier in the match.
Suarez pinched the back of Norwegian defender Birk Risa’s neck in an incident at half-time.
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The precise amount each player was fined is unclear.
The MLS said in a statement that their disciplinary committee had ruled that the former Barcelona stars had violated the league’s “hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy.”
Messi had just set-up a stoppage time equaliser for team-mate Telasco Segovia in the 2-2 draw at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadim.
He also assisted Tomas Aviles’ early goal before the latter was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Aviles dragged down NYC FC forward Alonso Martinez from behind as he was in on the goalkeeper.
It comes after a referee in charge of Inter Miami‘s Concacaf Champions League opener was disciplined after asking for Messi’s shirt after their game against Sporting KC.
Messi scored the winning goal in their first leg, a 1-0 win that was played in frigid, single-digit temperatures in Kansas City.
