Inter Miami's Lionel Messi fined by MLS for post-match incident with NYCFC assistant coach in heated draw

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi has been fined an undiclosed amount for putting his hand on the neck of an NYCFC coaching staff member Mehdi Ballouchy, the league announced. The incident occurred following full time of the clash between Messi's Miami and NYC, when the Argentine appeared to get into a verbal confrontation with the coach, before grabbing the back of his neck. Messi's frustrations came after a 2-2 draw in which the Herons had a man sent off in the 23rd minute.

Messi's teammate Luis Suarez was also fined by the league for a similar incident. He and NYCFC defender Birk Risa exchanged words at half time, and Suarez was found touching the Norwegian's neck -- before teammates intervened.

Major League Soccer outlined the reasons for the penalties in an official statement: "The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suárez an undisclosed amount for violating the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy during halftime of Miami’s match against the New York City Football Club on Feb. 22"

"The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount for violating the Hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy following the conclusion of Inter Miami’s match against the New York City Football Club on Feb. 22."

The Herons' next fixture comes against Sporting KC in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup tie. They currently hold a 1-0 aggregate lead. After that, they will travel to Houston to face the Dynamo in a return to MLS league action.