Major League Soccer has sanctioned Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi over a clash with Philadelphia Union's Quinn Sullivan during the two sides' meeting in the competition.
The league's disciplinary committee fined Messi an undisclosed sum for breaching its policy on putting a hand to the face, head or neck of an opposing player.
Major League Soccer said in a statement published by the newspaper "Marca": "The MLS disciplinary committee has decided to fine Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount for violating the league's policy on placing the hand on the face, head or neck of an opposing player, in the 101+ minute of Miami's match against Philadelphia Union on 19 August."
It all kicked off in the 2-2 draw between Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union. Messi squared up to Sullivan before slapping the player's head, and the referee stepped in to calm things down.
A one-match ban or more never materialised, with the committee handing the Flea the lightest punishment available.
MLS regulations allow a financial fine for players who deliberately touch the face, head or neck of an opponent, provided the act sparks or escalates an individual incident or triggers a mass confrontation, at the discretion of the disciplinary committee.
Anyone proven to have touched the face, head or neck of an opposing player in a way that ignites or escalates an incident, or leads to a mass confrontation, faces at least a financial fine under those rules.
Messi had also scored Inter Miami's second goal on the night, briefly putting his side 2-1 up. It was the Argentine's first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi, and he made sure to dedicate it to him.
You can discuss topics and news in more depth in the Kooora forums