Messi, Alba Suspended After Missing MLS All-Star Game
Major League Soccer (MLS) has suspended Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for failing to participate in this week’s All-Star events.
Despite being selected for the prestigious All-Star Game, neither player featured in the All-Star Skills Challenge on Tuesday nor the match against a Liga MX select side on Wednesday.
According to MLS regulations, players who miss All-Star festivities without prior approval are subject to suspension.
The league confirmed on Friday that both Messi and Alba will serve a one-match ban.
“Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match,” MLS said in a statement.
Reacting to the decision, Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas said Messi was “very upset, extremely upset, as expected,” adding that the players found the decision difficult to understand.
“The reaction was exactly as expected out of two competitive players who don’t understand the decision, who don’t understand why not attending an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension. The rule is what it is, but they don’t understand it. I think that the punishment for the rule is frankly draconian,” Mas said.
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