Major League Soccer said its disciplinary committee fined Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount for violating the league policy on contact to an opponent’s head, neck or face. The incident occurred in the 101st minute of the August 19 match at Subaru Park when Messi struck Quinn Sullivan on the back of the head after the pair exchanged words over a perceived elbow. Inter Miami defender Ian Fray received a separate undisclosed fine for grabbing Sullivan by the neck during another clash in stoppage time. ESPN reported that the referee intervened quickly to prevent the confrontation from escalating further.
The 2-2 draw featured multiple flashpoints as both sides finished the game with 10 players following two red cards. Messi scored his team’s second goal and added an assist, marking his first goal since the death of his father Jorge Messi. BBC Sport noted that the league confirmed the sanctions without disclosing the fine values imposed on the players.
According to an MLS statement the committee reviewed video evidence before determining that Messi breached the hands-to-face policy in the final moments of the contest. No suspension accompanied the financial penalty for the 39-year-old Argentine. Reports from Goal.com indicated that similar reviews led to the rescinding of one related suspension stemming from the match.
Quinn Sullivan, a 22-year-old prospect for the United States men’s national team, was involved in both incidents with Miami players. His brother Cavan Sullivan had a red card and subsequent one-game suspension overturned after league review of the events. The match outcome left both Eastern Conference sides with a point apiece from the heated encounter.
Messi joined Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 and has since become a central figure for the club in Major League Soccer. His contributions against Philadelphia Union came despite the late disciplinary attention that drew widespread coverage from international outlets. The league continues to issue such fines as part of its standard process for on-field conduct violations.
