Messi fined by MLS for striking opponent; Cavan Sullivan's red card rescinded

Published Aug 21, 10:21 PM UTC

Editorial responsibility

Prepared by: WorldAttention Editorial Systems
Human review: No named human review is recorded for this page.
Automated steps: Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
Page status: Automatically published source-backed update

How automation and AI are used · Report a correction or rights issue

Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount by MLS for violating the league's policy regarding hands to the face/head/neck, following an incident during Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday. Messi appeared to lightly slap Union attacker Quinn Sullivan off the ball, but was not cautioned during play. Separately, during second-half stoppage time, a tussle led to red cards for Miami's Ian Fray and Philadelphia's 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan. An independent review panel voted unanimously to rescind Sullivan's one-game suspension and fine, clearing him to play against Austin FC on Saturday. This is Messi's second MLS fine since joining the league in 2023; his first was in February 2025 for a postmatch confrontation with a New York City FC assistant coach.

Source

Soccer - The AthleticWestern

Original headline: Messi fined by MLS for striking opponent; Cavan Sullivan’s red card rescinded

Original language: EN

People and interests

Lionel Messi Inter Miami