Lionel Messi tunnel clash that saw Argentine branded a ‘possessed dwarf’ lands Inter Miami fine & threat of ‘more severe sanctions’ in the future

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi did not take to the field during the first leg of the Herons’ CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final meeting with Mexican opposition. He was, however, involved in angry exchanges afterwards with match officials and members of the visiting team.

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Monterrey coach Fernando Ortiz had helped to light that fuse with pre-game comments regarding favourable refereeing, while his assistant, Nico Sanchez, has apologised for branding Messi a “possessed dwarf” during unsightly scenes in the tunnel.

The Liga MX outfit requested that CONCACAF carry out an investigation into what happened, and the results of that are that Inter Miami have been hit with a financial penalty. An official statement read: “After considering the documentation and evidence gathered during their investigation, which included requesting written statements from both clubs and thoroughly reviewing the reports submitted by the match officials, and based on the competiton’s regulations and the applicable Disciplinary Code, the Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF an undisclosed amount for lack of security in their stadium,” said the Concacaf statement. Furthermore, the Committee has warned Inter Miami CF that more severe sanctions could be taken should incidents occur during their future matches in Concacaf club competitions.”

Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Tata Martino were also involved in the post-match skirmishes, as they questioned some big decisions. Inter Miami would go on to lose their tie with Monterrey 5-2 on aggregate, with Messi unable to inspire them to victory when playing the full 90 minutes of the second leg in Mexico.