Lionel Messi has been cleared of any concern that he had violated MLS policy for a caught-on-camera incident following Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on Saturday
A video had circulated on social media over the weekend that appeared to show the global soccer superstar, 38, chasing after the referees into their locker room at the LA Memorial Coliseum just after Saturday’s game had ended.
The shocking video showed Messi following the match officials through a doorway as teammate Luis Suárez attempted to restrain him.
Messi is seen disappearing through the door before coming back out a few seconds later and heading to his club’s locker room.
MLS reviewed the video and determined that Messi did not enter any restricted areas and that he did not go into the referee’s locker room.
The findings were also confirmed by the Professional Referee Organization.
In a statement to The Athletic, the Professional Referee Organization director of communications, Chris Rivet, said, “After speaking with the match officials, we can confirm Lionel Messi did not enter the officials’ locker room.”
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano told reporters after the match that he had not been aware of any issues that Messi had with the officiating.
“No, no, no, I didn’t see anything. The truth is that the match finished and then I went into the locker room,” he said, according to ESPN.
Messi has faced disciplinary action from the league in the past, including an instance against New York City FC last season, when he was fined “for violating the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy.”
The Inter Miami superstar had also been suspended for one game after he skipped the MLS All-Star Game.
Messi was “extremely upset” over the suspension, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas told reporters at the time, and labeled the decision by MLS “draconian.”
