Major League Soccer’s disciplinary committee fined Inter Miami star forward Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount for violating league rules regarding the use of hands to touch an opponent’s face, head, or neck, the league announced.
The incident occurred in the 101st minute of Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw at the Philadelphia Union in Chester on Wednesday.
MLS also fined Inter Miami defender Ian Fray for the same violation. Tensions ran high in the final stoppage-time minutes of the second half as Miami’s Yannick Bright and Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan were both shown red cards.
Sullivan received good news Friday when his one-match suspension and accompanying fine from the red card were rescinded. The Independent Review Panel, consisting of one representative from the U.S. Soccer Federation, one from the Canadian Soccer Association, and an independent delegate appointed by the Professional Referee Organization, voted unanimously in Sullivan’s favor in the 102nd-minute incident.
Sullivan is now eligible to play for the Union in their next match on Saturday at Austin FC. Each MLS club is permitted up to two unsuccessful appeals per season, including playoffs. Philadelphia, after a successful appeal of Sullivan’s red card, retains both unsuccessful-appeal allowances for 2026.
MLS also fined Toronto FC defender Walker Zimmerman an undisclosed amount for failing to leave the field in a timely manner after being shown a red card in the 56th minute of Wednesday’s 3-3 home draw against Charlotte FC.
Minnesota United FC defender Anthony Markanich was also fined for violating simulation/embellishment rules in the 71st minute of Wednesday’s 1-2 loss to Atlanta United.
