Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been fined after slapping Philadelphia Union player Quinn Sullivan during their Major League Soccer (MLS) match, which ended in a 2–2 draw on Wednesday.
The 39-year-old Messi slapped Sullivan on the back of the head late in the game after complaining that the Philadelphia player had elbowed him while he was attempting to play the ball.
Sullivan became angry after Messi slapped him, but the referee immediately intervened to prevent the confrontation from escalating.
MLS confirmed that Messi had been fined over the incident but did not disclose the amount of the fine.
Messi scored Inter Miami’s second goal in the match, marking his first goal since the death of his father, who also managed the player’s affairs.
Messi was not the only Inter Miami player disciplined following the confrontation with Sullivan. His teammate Ian Fray was also fined after grabbing Sullivan by the neck during another clash between the players.
The match also saw two players sent off. Inter Miami’s Yannick Bright and Cavan, Sullivan’s brother and a Philadelphia Union player, were shown red cards.
Messi returned to action after attending the funeral of his father, who had played a key role in managing the footballer’s career and affairs.