Messi’s teammate Luis Suárez also received a similar fine for putting his hands on the back of the neck of NYC FC defender Birk Risa at half-time.
Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer after grabbing the neck of a New York City assistant coach at the end of Saturday’s game between the sides.
Before the confrontation with Ballouchy, Messi appeared incensed with referee Alexis Da Sliva, remonstrating after the final whistle and receiving a yellow card for dissent on his way back down the tunnel.
Earlier in the match, Miami defender Tomás Avilés received a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity, having dragged down NYC FC forward Alonso Martinez from behind as he was in on the goalkeeper.
Earlier in the week, the referee in charge of Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions League opener against Sporting KC was disciplined by the confederation after asking for the Argentinian’s shirt after the game.
