Messi fined for grabbing assistant coach’s neck

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer after grabbing the neck of a New York City assistant coach at the end of Saturday's game.

The Argentine World Cup winner was caught on camera in a confrontation with NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy after the final whistle. Messi twice put his hands on the back of Ballouchy's neck during the argument.

MLS said in a statement that their disciplinary committee had ruled that he had violated the league's "Hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy."

Messi had just set-up a stoppage time equaliser in the 2-2 draw. Messi's team-mate Luis Suarez also received a similar fine for putting his hands on the back of the neck of NYFC defender Birk Risa at half-time.

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