MLS fines Lionel Messi for striking opponent in 2-2 draw
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 10:19 PM
Last updated Aug 21, 2026
Major League Soccer fined Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount on August 21 for striking Quinn Sullivan of the Philadelphia Union during a 2-2 match on August 19. The incident occurred late in stoppage time after a confrontation between the two players, which escalated without cards being issued. Ian Fray of Inter Miami also received a fine for the same infraction. The league's disciplinary committee cited violation of the policy regarding contact with the head and neck area of an opponent.
- •Messi fined for striking Sullivan during a stoppage-time incident.
- •Ian Fray also fined for similar misconduct.
- •No cards issued during the game despite the altercation.
- •The match ended in a 2-2 draw on August 19.
- 10:19 PMYahoo Sports — Lionel Messi and Ian Fray are fined over separate incidents involving Inter Miami teammates
- 9:08 PMYahoo Sports — MLS fines Messi for striking an opponent
"Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Ian Fray have been fined undisclosed amounts for making contact in the head and neck area of opponents in separate incidents during second-half stoppage time in a 2-2 draw against Philadelphia, MLS said Friday. Messi slapped the Union's Quinn Sullivan on the back of the neck as the two exchanged words Wednesday night. Messi scored his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi, and added an assist.
"Major League Soccer fined Inter Miami's Argentine superstar Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount on Friday for slapping Philadelphia's Quinn Sullivan on the back of the neck in the clubs' 2-2 draw on Wednesday.Miami's Ian Fray was fined an undisclosed amount for the same infraction.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 10:19 PMLionel Messi and Ian Fray are fined over separate incidents involving Inter Miami teammates
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Ian Fray have been fined undisclosed amounts for making contact in the head and neck area of opponents in separate incidents during second-half stoppage time in a 2-2 draw against Philadelphia, MLS said Friday. Messi slapped the Union's Quinn Sullivan on the back of the neck as the two exchanged words Wednesday night. Messi scored his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi, and added an assist.
- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 9:08 PMMLS fines Messi for striking an opponent
Major League Soccer fined Inter Miami's Argentine superstar Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount on Friday for slapping Philadelphia's Quinn Sullivan on the back of the neck in the clubs' 2-2 draw on Wednesday.Miami's Ian Fray was fined an undisclosed amount for the same infraction.
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