MLS Fines Messi for 101st-Minute Slap in 2-2 Draw With Philadelphia

Q: Why did VAR spare Lionel Messi a red card for a face slap that later resulted in an MLS fine?

VAR spared Messi because the incident was not judged on the night to meet the threshold for a direct red card, even though MLS later decided it still warranted postgame discipline. The key distinction is between in-game send-off standards and league disciplinary review. Video showed Messi make open-handed contact with Quinn Sullivan’s head/neck area during a heated exchange in stoppage time, but the referee did not dismiss him and play continued. For VAR to intervene on a red-card offense, officials must believe there was clear evidence of violent conduct or a clear and obvious error by the referee. In this case, the contact appears to have been seen as brief and relatively low-force, with the referee stepping in before the confrontation escalated. MLS’s later fine came under a broader competition policy that specifically penalizes hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent. That policy does not require the same standard as an on-field red card. In other words, conduct can fall short of a VAR-triggered dismissal yet still violate league rules and lead to an undisclosed fine after review. That is why there is no real contradiction between the two outcomes. Match officials and VAR did not treat Messi’s action as clearly red-card violent conduct in real time, but the MLS Disciplinary Committee still found enough to punish him administratively. Inter Miami defender Ian Fray was fined under the same policy in a separate stoppage-time altercation.

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 22

An undisclosed MLS fine punished Lionel Messi for striking Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan around the back of the head in the 101st minute of Wednesday’s 2-2 match.
The disciplinary committee said Messi violated its hands-to-the face/head/neck policy after he reacted when Sullivan appeared to elbow him following a play on the ball.
That bad-tempered game at Subaru Park ended with two late red cards—Inter Miami’s Yannick Bright and Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan were sent off in stoppage time.
Ian Fray was also fined for clashing with Sullivan, adding to the fallout for Inter Miami, which sits second in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind Nashville.