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Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer for grabbing the neck of a New York City assistant coach following Saturday's match.
The Argentine World Cup winner was seen on camera confronting NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy after the final whistle. During the heated exchange, Messi placed his hands on the back of Ballouchy’s neck twice.
MLS stated that its disciplinary committee determined Messi had violated the league’s policy on "Hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent."
The incident occurred after Messi assisted Telasco Segovia’s stoppage-time equalizer, securing a 2-2 draw for Inter Miami at Chase Stadium in their season opener.
Messi’s teammate, Uruguayan forward Luis Suárez, was also fined for a similar offense after putting his hands on the neck of NYCFC defender Birk Risa during half-time.
