Following allegations that Lionel Messi entered the officials’ locker room after the Inter Miami versus LAFC match on Saturday at the LA Memorial Coliseum, Major League Soccer has officially cleared the player of any wrongdoing. The league’s review determined Messi did not breach any policies concerning access to restricted areas.
As a result, the case will not be forwarded to the MLS Disciplinary Committee for further action, closing the matter without any penalties.
Details of Messi’s Movement After the Match
The controversy arose when a video circulated showing Messi briefly walking through a corridor near the referees’ area. However, league officials clarified that the specific door Messi entered was not connected to the referees’ locker room and was not designated as off-limits by MLS.
Chris Rivett, the Professional Referee Organization’s director of communications, confirmed this directly.
After speaking with match officials, we can confirm he did not enter the premises,
Rivett said.
Reactions from Inter Miami and Match Officials
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano addressed the situation after the match, emphasizing that he did not observe Messi showing any frustration toward the refereeing decisions during the game, which LAFC won 3-0.
No, no, no I didn’t see anything. The truth is that the match finished and then I went into the locker room,
Mascherano stated during the post-match press conference.
Messi’s focus now shifts to Inter Miami’s upcoming game against Orlando City on March 1 at Inter&Co Stadium as the season continues.
Significance of the Review and What Lies Ahead
This clarification resolves concerns about potential misconduct in the wake of a disappointing season opener for Messi and his team. With no disciplinary action required, MLS ensures transparency in handling such incidents while maintaining the integrity of restricted areas within stadiums. Messi’s performance and conduct remain key points to watch as he seeks to regain momentum ahead of the World Cup.
