Messi, Suarez fined by MLS for neck-grabbing incidents

Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer (MLS) after an altercation with NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy following the 2-2 draw at Inter Miami's Chase Stadium. The confrontation, captured on camera, involved Messi grabbing Ballouchy by the neck, which violated the league's policy on 'hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent.' Messi had just assisted a stoppage-time equalizer for Inter Miami when the incident occurred. Additionally, Messi's teammate Luis Suárez was also fined for a similar action involving NYCFC defender Birk Risa during halftime. Both players' actions sparked discussions on player emotions and conduct on the pitch, with some emphasizing the challenges of maintaining composure in high-stakes situations. Despite the fines, both players are expected to continue in their roles for upcoming matches.