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Messi fined by MLS for punching opponent

Messi fined by MLS for hitting opponent

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer (MLS). The Argentine player hit an opponent in the head and neck during a match against the Philadelphia Union, ESPN reported.

The incident occurred in extra time of the Philadelphia Union-Inter Miami match on August 19. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

In the final minutes of the match, Messi got into an argument with Philadelphia Union player Quinn Sullivan and hit him in the neck with his hand. The MLS disciplinary committee fined the Argentine player for this action. The amount of the fine was not disclosed.

Inter Miami defender Jan Frey was also fined for hitting an opponent in the neck with his hand.

At the end of the match, a conflict broke out between the players. Inter Miami's Yannick Bright and Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan's brother Kavan Sullivan were shown red cards.

However, the MLS Independent Review Panel overturned the red card and one-match suspension given to Kavan Sullivan. The decision was unanimous.

Messi scored and assisted in the game against Philadelphia Union, his first since the death of his father, Jorge Messi.

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