Inter Miami defeated Tigres UANL 2-1 in the 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinals without Lionel Messi, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Head coach Javier Mascherano was expelled before the second half after arguing with the fourth official about added time. Mascherano moved to VIP seats above the bench and used his cell phone to contact the video analyst team during the match. A Leagues Cup representative confirmed that Mascherano did not violate rules by sitting in the stands or communicating via phone. Mascherano will miss the semifinal due to the initial red card; further discipline is uncertain.
I abided by the rules and didn't break any rules. I couldn't be on the bench, I wasn't on the bench. I could have even sat in a suite because it's part of the stands, and I didn't sit in a suite, meaning, I could have been next to the bench, in the suite next to the owners. I could have sat because it's part of, let's say, it's not my fault how the stadium is configured,
There was an argument there at the end of the first half, where the referee had given four minutes of added time, and six minutes were played. We argued with the fourth official. I didn't insult him, but I did argue quite vehemently,
When I came out for the second half, I went to sit on the bench, the referee came and gave me the red card.
Collection
[
|
...
]