MLS Disciplinary Committee fines Lionel Messi and other players for league violations

The Major League Soccer (MLS) Disciplinary Committee has fined superstar Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount for violating the league’s policy on hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent, the league has announced.

The incident occurred in the 101st minute of Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with the host Philadelphia Union on Wednesday in Chester.

MLS also fined Inter Miami defender Ian Fray for the same violation. Tempers flared deep in second-half stoppage time as Miami’s Yannick Bright and Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan were shown red cards.

Sullivan got good news on Friday, when his one-game suspension and accompanying fine for the red card were rescinded. The Independent Review Panel, consisting of one representative from US Soccer, one representative from Canada Soccer and one independent representative nominated by the Professional Referee Organization, unanimously voted in Sullivan’s favour for the incident in the 102nd minute.

Sullivan is now eligible to play for the Union in their next match, on Saturday at Austin FC. Each MLS club is entitled to two unsuccessful appeals per season, including the league playoffs. Philadelphia, successful in its appeal on Sullivan’s red card, still has two unsuccessful appeals 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 a 3-3 home draw with Charlotte FC on Wednesday.

Minnesota United FC defender Anthony Markanich was fined for violating league policy on simulation/embellishment in the 71st minute of a 2-1 loss to Atlanta United on Wednesday.