MLS investigates Inter Miami for alleged tampering in Casemiro signing

Published Jul 22, 07:35 PM UTC

Major League Soccer (MLS) is investigating Inter Miami for alleged tampering in the signing of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro. The LA Galaxy held Casemiro's 'discovery rights' under MLS rules, which grant a team priority to negotiate with a player. The Galaxy claim Inter Miami circumvented this rule by contacting Casemiro while the Galaxy were in active negotiations. Discovery rights are a mechanism designed to prevent teams from bidding against each other and to distribute talent more equitably. The Galaxy had been confident in signing Casemiro until the player expressed a preference for Inter Miami. A settlement between the clubs regarding compensation for the discovery rights has been reached but the terms are not yet public. The case echoes a 2024 precedent where the Galaxy paid Charlotte FC $400,000 in allocation money for Marco Reus's discovery rights.