{
  "id": 2463732,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T00:57:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lionel-messi-fined-mls-slapping-005721845.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Major League Soccer has fined Lionel Messi for slapping Philadelphia Union player Quinn Sullivan on the back of his neck during Inter Miami's 2-2 draw against the club on Wednesday, August 19. The Argentinian superstar has been hit with an undisclosed fine for violating MLS's rule that prohibits players from making contact with an opponent's face, head, or neck.\n\nInterestingly, Messi's teammate Ian Fray also received a fine for the same infraction, taking place in what the source describes as a \"chippy final few minutes\" of the match.\n\nIn a separate move, MLS has rescinded the red card given to Quinn Sullivan, the 16-year-old rising star and younger brother of Quinn. The younger Sullivan was booked during the altercation when he stepped in to defend his older brother.\n\nDespite the fine, Messi managed to score in the draw, giving him his first goal since the passing of his father, Jorge, on August 8. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had missed Inter Miami's match on the day his father passed. He returned to the club for their League Cup match against León on August 12, where he came off the bench in the second half.\n\nSince the World Cup, Messi's goals for Inter Miami include a pair of goals in the club's 4-2 League Cup win against Atlético de San Luis on August 5. In the World Cup itself, Argentina finished second to Spain, with Messi scoring eight goals and becoming the tournament's all-time leading scorer. However, he was surpassed by Kylian Mbappé in overall scoring and the Golden Boot award.",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi slapped Quinn Sullivan on the back of the neck during Inter Miami CF's draw against the Philadelphia Union.",
  "key_points": [
    "Lionel Messi fined by MLS for slapping opponent's neck during match.",
    "Messi's teammate Ian Fray also fined for same violation.",
    "MLS rescinds red card given to Quinn Sullivan in altercation."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The fine imposed on Lionel Messi and his teammate Ian Fray for making contact with an opponent's neck underscores MLS's commitment to enforcing rules protecting player safety.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-22T00:59:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}