MLS makes final decision on Lionel Messi’s possible fine for his latest harsh referee protests after Orlando defeat—but the outcome may surprise many.
MLS makes final decision on Lionel Messi’s possible fine for his latest harsh referee protests after Orlando defeat—but the outcome may surprise many. In the wake of Inter Miami’s spiraling form and Messi’s growing public frustration, the league’s ruling has added another intriguing chapter to an already dramatic season. Yet, the exact nature of the disciplinary outcome remained shrouded in uncertainty until midweek, keeping fans guessing.
The arrival of Javier Mascherano to Inter Miami’s bench, following the exit of Gerardo “Tata” Martino, was meant to bring continuity and even further tactical sharpness to a team brimming with experience and flair. Instead, the 2024 momentum that once saw Inter Miami ride high in the Eastern Conference has crumbled in recent weeks.
The tipping point came last weekend, when Miami suffered a humbling 3-0 home loss to Orlando City. Not only did the defeat signal one of the worst performances of the season, but it also extended Orlando City’s unbeaten run to a historic 12 games across all competitions. Eleven of those matches were in MLS, and the twelfth came from the U.S. Open Cup, where they continue their campaign this week.
Despite having Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba back in action, the Herons lacked the bite that once defined them. They now sit sixth in the Eastern Conference, with only one win from their last seven matches, and an alarming 20 goals conceded during that stretch.
Messi’s boiling point
In the midst of this poor run, Lionel Messi’s frustrations have spilled into the public sphere. He received yellow cards in consecutive games—once against San Jose Earthquakes, and again during the clash with Orlando. But it wasn’t just on the pitch where his emotions ran high. In his postgame interview with Apple TV, Messi openly questioned the competence of MLS officials.
“Well, we’re in a period of bad results, but we have to keep working and thinking about what’s to come,” he said. “We have three or four games to end the month and then we head into the Club World Cup.”
However, it was his comments on the refereeing that stirred controversy. The Argentine took issue with a first-half sequence leading to Orlando’s opening goal, claiming a rule had been misunderstood by the referee.
“There was a strange play where one of their players gave the [Orlando] goalkeeper a pass and the referee said he didn’t know the rule and didn’t see it that way,” he explained. “From there came their long pass and the goal. Sometimes there are errors in critical moments… I think MLS has to look at some of the officiating.”
What is the league’s verdict?
Amid fears that Messi could face disciplinary action for “excessive protest and dissent”, especially after his confrontation with officials in San Jose, speculation brewed over a potential fine or suspension. However, according to journalist Favian Renkel, the MLS Disciplinary Committee opted not to fine Messi for either of the recent incidents.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee decisions for the week have been released, and Lionel Messi was not fined by the league for his post-match comments criticizing the refereeing against Orlando City or for his actions following the midweek game against the San Jose Earthquakes.
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— Favian Renkel (@FavianRenkel) May 20, 2025
“Lionel Messi was not fined by the league for his post-match comments criticizing the officiating against Orlando City. He was also not punished for his actions after the midweek game against the San Jose Earthquakes,” Renkel reported, via X (formerly Twitter).
