Major League Soccer (MLS) recently addressed a situation involving Lionel Messi following Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss to LAFC. After the game, a video surfaced showing Messi seemingly trying to approach referees. His teammate, Luis Suárez, tried to hold him back, but Messi went through a door.
MLS investigated and concluded that Messi did not enter the referees’ locker room or violate any league policies. A spokesperson from the league stated that the door was not a restricted area.
Chris Rivett, from the Professional Referee Organization, confirmed this, saying, “After speaking with the match officials, we can confirm Lionel Messi did not enter the officials’ locker room.”
While Messi has a reputation for chatting with referees, he has never faced fines or suspensions for behavior towards them. Last season, he received a fine for a different infraction involving contact with an opponent, but it was unrelated to officiating.
Interestingly, challenges regarding player interactions with officials have gained attention in soccer. According to a survey by the Professional Footballers’ Association, about 70% of players feel that match officials often misinterpret their intentions during discussions. This highlights a growing concern about communication on the field.
Despite these events, Messi is set to play in Inter Miami’s next match against Orlando on March 1, and they’ll face D.C. United in Baltimore soon after.
For more details on professional referee management in North America, check out the Professional Referee Organization.
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Inter Miami CF, Argentina, MLS, Soccer
