{
  "id": 2545101,
  "title": "Lionel Messi and Ian Fray are fined over separate incidents involving Inter Miami teammates",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/lionel-messi-and-ian-fray-are-fined-over-separate-incidents-involving",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T08:53:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-fines-miami-mls-7b74326412816cd73d3698ea53bd2043"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Ian Fray have been fined undisclosed amounts for head and neck contact with opponents in separate incidents during an MLS match against Philadelphia, according to the Associated Press. The fines were announced on Friday following the game's conclusion. Messi's misconduct involved slapping Union's Quinn Sullivan on the back of the neck during an exchange of words. Messi scored his first goal since his father's death and added an assist in the match. The situation escalated when Sullivan lost his footing and tangled with Fray, who then grabbed Sullivan's neck. Sullivan retaliated by tackling Fray. Additionally, Minnesota United FC's Anthony Markanich was fined for simulation during a 2-1 loss to Atlanta United on Wednesday.",
  "summary": "NEW YORK (AP) — Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Ian Fray have been fined undisclosed amounts for making contact in the head and neck area of opponents in separate incidents during…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Lionel Messi and Ian Fray are fined over separate incidents involving Inter Miami teammates",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/lionel-messi-and-ian-fray-are-fined-over-separate-incidents-involving",
        "published": "2026-08-21T22:19:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Newsweek",
        "title": "Lionel Messi Punished by MLS for Actions During Inter Miami Match",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/lionel-messi-punished-by-mls-for-actions-during-inter-miami-match",
        "published": "2026-08-22T02:28:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}