 Inter Miami’s Argentine ahead Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s Spanish defender Jordi Alba heat up forward of the Main League Soccer (MLS) common season soccer match between Inter Miami CF and St Louis CITY SC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in June 1, 2024. — AFP
NEW YORK: Lionel Messi has been suspended for one sport after sitting out the MLS All-Star Sport with out prior approval, the league mentioned on Friday.
The Inter Miami ahead and his teammate, Jordi Alba, didn’t compete on Wednesday regardless of not being injured, although they had been included within the All-Star roster.
“Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match,” MLS mentioned in an announcement.
The suspension will see Messi, the league’s predominant attraction, miss Inter Miami’s match towards the visiting FC Cincinnati on Saturday. Cincinnati lead the Japanese Convention standings.
Messi has scored 18 targets to this point this season.
“I know Lionel Messi loves this league. I don’t think there’s a player – or anyone – who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber mentioned in an announcement.
“Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision.”
All-Star competitions are a mainstay of North American sports activities, the place the lads’s “Big Four” leagues use the exhibitions to spice up their gamers’ profiles, however a rarity in skilled soccer.
“We’re going to take a hard look at the policy moving forward. I’m committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve,” mentioned Garber.
Inter Miami managing proprietor Jorge Mas described each gamers as “consummate professionals” who had been “extremely upset” concerning the suspensions.
He defined that the membership made the choice for the gamers to overlook the All-Star sport to prioritise their relaxation and well being throughout a demanding stretch of matches. Mas strongly criticised the rule, calling it “draconian.”
“The ones that get penalised are the club, the fans, sponsors, Apple TV, and so on,” Mas informed reporters throughout a convention name on Friday.
“I expressed our disagreement with the league’s decision, and I had conversations with the commissioner both this morning and late last night,” he mentioned.
“But notwithstanding that, the decision is what it is.”
Mas added that there was no appeals course of obtainable.
