Lionel Messi did not breach Major League Soccer rules and will not face disciplinary action over a post-match incident involving match officials, an MLS spokesperson said on Sunday.
Footage posted by Sintesis Deportes showed Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez appearing to hold Messi back near a doorway in the tunnel area of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum following Saturday’s match. Messi briefly moved out of frame before rejoining teammates on their way to the dressing room, prompting speculation online that he had attempted to access the referees’ room.
An MLS spokesperson told The Athletic the door seen in the video was not the officials’ locker room and that Messi did not enter any restricted area, clearing the Argentina captain of wrongdoing.
The league previously handed out sanctions for similar conduct. In 2023, FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga was suspended for three matches for misconduct after entering the referees’ locker room following a playoff game.
Messi has not been disciplined in MLS for any incident involving referees. However, the Inter Miami star served a one-match suspension last summer for failing to attend the MLS All-Star Game and was fined later in the season for violating the league’s hands-to-the-face/head/neck policy.
Inter Miami began their campaign with a 3-0 loss to Los Angeles FC in the season opener. The Florida-based side are next in action on Sunday when they host Orlando City.
