Messi fined for grabbing New York City coach by the neck

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer (MLS) for grabbing the neck of New York City FC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy. The incident occurred after a 2-2 draw in Miami, where video footage captured Messi approaching Ballouchy and placing his hand on the back of the coach's neck, causing him to pull away. The MLS Disciplinary Committee announced the fine on Tuesday, citing a violation of the league's "hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy."

In a related incident, Messi's teammate Luis Suárez was also fined for a similar offense. During halftime of the same match, Suárez pinched the back of New York City defender Birk Risa's neck, leading to his fine under the same policy.

Inter Miami is scheduled to play against Sporting Kansas City later today in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.