MLS fines Messi for slapping opponent

Inter Miami's star player, Lionel Messi, has been fined by Major League Soccer for an on-field altercation. The league announced Friday that the Argentine forward received an undisclosed fine for slapping Quinn Sullivan of the Philadelphia Union on the back of the neck during the teams' 2-2 draw on Wednesday. The disciplinary committee cited Messi's violation of the league's policy against hands to the face, head, or neck of an opponent. This incident occurred in stoppage time of a contentious match. Messi approached Sullivan near the center circle and made the striking motion while the ball was being played elsewhere. A brief exchange followed, leading to a stare-down between the two players. The referee, who had his back turned, intervened to separate them but did not issue any cards for this specific confrontation. However, the referee did send off two other players, Cavan Sullivan and Ian Fray, following a separate scuffle in Miami's penalty area during stoppage time. Ian Fray of Miami was also fined for a similar infraction.