{
  "id": 2589274,
  "title": "Slapped an opponent! How MLS will punish Lionel Messi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/slapped-an-opponent-how-mls-will-punish-lionel-messi",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T14:14:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/slapped-opponent-mls-punish-lionel-141400368.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer for slapping an opponent during a match against the Philadelphia Union. The incident occurred during their 2-2 draw on August 19, when Messi slapped Quinn Sullivan on the back of the head after Sullivan had elbowed him. According to the Associated Press, Messi's action was a violation of the league's policy regarding hands to the face, head, or neck of an opponent.\n\nThe fine amount was not disclosed by the league. Messi was not the only player to be fined for an incident involving Sullivan; Inter Miami's Ian Fray was also fined for grabbing Sullivan's neck during a separate fracas. The match ended with two red cards, given to Miami's Yannick Bright and Sullivan's brother Cavan, but Cavan's one-game suspension was later rescinded by the league's Independent Review Panel.\n\nMessi had scored one goal and provided an assist in the game, marking his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi. Inter Miami currently sits second in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind leaders Nashville.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}