MLS Fines Messi and Fray for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Lionel Messi and Ian Fray of Inter Miami were fined undisclosed amounts by MLS for separate incidents involving contact to the head and neck area of opponents during a 2-2 draw against Philadelphia. Messi slapped an opponent on the neck,…
Fort Myers Naples, FL, August 22, 2026 —
Major League Soccer (MLS) has issued undisclosed fines to Inter Miami players Lionel Messi and Ian Fray. The sanctions stem from separate incidents during a recent 2-2 draw against the Philadelphia Union, where both players made contact with the head and neck area of opposing players.
Lionel Messi was fined for slapping an opponent on the neck during the match. The exact amount of the fine was not disclosed by the league.
Ian Fray also received a fine, also of an undisclosed amount, for grabbing an opponent by the neck. Both incidents occurred during the course of the game, which ended in a tie.
The league has not provided further details regarding the specific disciplinary actions or the amounts of the fines levied against the players. The undisclosed nature of the fines means the financial impact on Messi and Fray is not public information.
Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.
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