After a routine game between Inter Miami and the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday turned into an all-out brawl, MLS is handing down more punishment — and easing others.
Miami star Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount after getting his hands in the face or neck area of an opposing player, the league announced Friday. Messi’s teammate, Ian Fray, has been penalized for the same action.
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MLS also announced that Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan, who had received a red card after the climactic fight in the final minutes of the game, has had the card rescinded.
During the heated match, Messi struck Philadelphia’s Quinn Sullivan in the back of the head, sparking a confrontation in which the two went forehead-to-forehead.
The bulk of the action, however, came in the 12th minute of second-half stoppage time, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Quinn Sullivan went down after a chippy collision in the box; Fray then seemed to grab at Quinn’s head as he stepped over him, leading Sullivan to flip Fray to the ground.
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Cavan quickly ran in to defend Quinn and ended up skirmishing with Miami’s Yannick Bright, who seemingly struck him in the face more than once, with Cavan gripping the front of Bright’s jersey.
Quinn Sullivan, 22, and Cavan Sullivan, 16 are brothers; both grew up in the Philadelphia Union academy system before signing with the senior team. Cavan made history after signing a four-year deal with Philadelphia when he was just 14.
Touching the head or neck of an opposing player is a big no-no in soccer and is usually punished harshly regardless of intention.
Cavan Sullivan’s rescinded red card means his one-game suspension has also been taken back, and he will be available as Philadelphia takes on Austin on Saturday.
Bright’s suspension or red card, however, has not been lifted. He will miss Miami’s game against Toronto on Saturday.
