{
  "id": 2463731,
  "title": "Inter Miami's Lionel Messi fined by MLS for slapping opponent",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/inter-miamis-lionel-messi-fined-by-mls-for-slapping-opponent",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T00:59:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/inter-miamis-lionel-messi-fined-005903098.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Major League Soccer imposed an undisclosed fine on Inter Miami star Lionel Messi on Friday for slapping Philadelphia Union's Quinn Sullivan during a match on Wednesday. The incident occurred in the 101st minute of a 2-2 draw, just prior to an on-field brawl. Messi, who captains Argentina's national team and is considered one of the greatest players of all time, was penalized for violating the league's policy on making contact with an opponent's face, head, or neck. The altercation between the two players began with Sullivan walking past Messi, who then delivered a quick slap with the back of his hand to Sullivan's head. Sullivan subsequently turned and touched Messi's face before they separated. Additionally, Union midfielder Ian Fray was also fined for striking Sullivan on the head during the same game.",
  "summary": "Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi was fined by Major League Soccer on Friday for delivering a slap to the head of a Philadelphia Union opponent.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Lionel Messi fined by MLS for slapping back of opponent's neck",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/lionel-messi-fined-by-mls-for-slapping-back-of-opponents-neck",
        "published": "2026-08-22T00:57:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}