"Messi made headlines during MLS's season-opening weekend not for his attacking brilliance, but for heated post-match scenes that marked his latest run-in with North American referees. The Inter Miami captain gave match officials an earful in the tunnel after his team's 3-0 road loss to Son Heung-Min and LAFC in front of a record crowd of more than 75,000 fans, with multiple videos capturing the confrontation as it unfolded."
"The footage brought into question whether Messi had broken the league's rule of not entering the referee locker room, one that came into focus in 2023 when veteran American center-back Matt Miazga was banned three matches during FC Cincinnati's play-off run for violating the protocol."
"Major League Soccer quickly investigated the Messi incident this past weekend, ruling in less than a day that the 38-year-old superstar had not entered the referee locker room. MLS determined that Messi briefly walked into a corridor leading towards the dressing area without ever entering the actual room, a distinction that proved decisive."
Lionel Messi drew attention during MLS's season-opening weekend for heated post-match confrontations with referees following Inter Miami's 3-0 loss to LAFC before a record crowd of over 75,000 fans. Videos captured Messi verbally confronting match officials in the tunnel over disputed calls, with teammate Luis Suarez attempting to restrain him as he moved toward the referee area. The incident raised questions about whether Messi violated MLS's rule prohibiting players from entering the referee locker room, a protocol previously enforced when Matt Miazga received a three-match ban in 2023. MLS investigated and ruled within a day that Messi had only walked into a corridor leading to the dressing area without entering the actual locker room, determining no violation occurred.
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