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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>MLS execs weigh-in on topic</li><li>Some believe others cheat</li><li>Look ahead at MLS calendar</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'Trying to get me in trouble?' - Anonymous MLS executives weigh in on whether or not teams cheat existing roster rules

Major League Soccer

New England Revolution

Inter Miami CF

Speaking to <a href="https://theathletic.com/5373883/2024/03/28/mls-executives-survey-apple-tv-rules-leagues-cup/" target="_blank">The Athletic,</a> a group of anonymous MLS executives spoke on the idea of cheating across the league, giving varying responses. Notably, there were mentions of Inter Miami and how they have navigated their roster budget in 2024. One executive even speculated that their internal team's intelligence is through the roof, saying: “Their mathematics intelligence must be incredible," in order to be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-meets-mls-roster-compliancy-sneaky-loophole/blt985565a547aa2981" target="_blank">roster compliant.</a><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72;height: 40;">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

"Who’s going to be able to prove it?" one executive chimed in, adding: "The league has definitely upped their compliance, but it’s really not hard to break the rules in this league."Meanwhile, one was adamant that teams do indeed break rules, but didn't offer to elaborate."Yes, teams do break rules," they said. "No, I don’t really want to expand on it other than that. Clearly, some teams are able to operate in gray areas. That falls on the league office."Ironically, one did not appreciate the question, saying: "Jesus, what are you asking me? Are you trying to get me in trouble?"

WHAT ANONYMOUS EXECS SAID

In 2021, the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/inter-miami-under-mls-investigation-for-matuidi-signing/y8ucoqr47f3l1n0rriym4dbg4" target="_blank">Herons were investigated by Major League Soccer</a> for tampering over the free transfer signing of ex-France international Blaise Matuidi. It resulted in a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/inter-miami-hit-with-record-2-million-fine-for-violating-roster-rules-in-2020/1198n4rd576qf1ii5axsye4pju" target="_blank">record $2 million fine,</a> with the fine extending to the dealings of four other players on top of the former Juventus star.Inter Miami's sporting director at the time, Paul McDonough, was suspended through the end of the 2022 season as a result of the club's action.Now, nearly three years on, there seems to be no definitive response as to whether teams are still 'cheating' roster rules - but it sure seems as though some believe clubs still do.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Heading into matchweek six, MLS will look a little bit different. Midweek, MLS and the PSRA came to an agreement over a new CBA, meaning that their pool of 260 officials will now return to the workforce for the weekend, and the lockout of their officials is over. With 14 matches across Saturday and Sunday, MLS teams across both conferences will be looking to pull off results to set them on-course for a top campaign.

WHAT NEXT FOR MLS?

'Trying to get me in trouble?' - Anonymous MLS executives weigh in on whether or not teams cheat existing roster rules | Goal.com US

In an anonymous survey conducted with MLS executives, the question of whether or not teams cheat roster rules was posed, and the answers varied.

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