Exclusive: Lionel Messi to get star treatment and avoid ban for neck grab
Keith Hackett has revealed he would be “amazed” if Lionel Messi gets a ban after grabbing an assistant by the neck.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that with the MLS’s new season having just kicked off, the Argentine superstar was unlikely to receive a ban.
Messi assisted both goals as a 10-man Inter Miami side came from behind, to draw with Coventry manager Frank Lampard‘s former side, New York City FC.
However, an outburst from the former Barcelona forward was caught on camera after the game.
Messi’s confrontation of referee Alexis Da Silva caused the official to show the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to be shown a yellow card.
The legendary forward then turned his attentions to an assistant, having a heated conversation, before grabbing the back of the official’s neck, and then walking off.
Messi also caught attention for an outburst after Argentina lost to Paraguay, with the forward calling the referee a “coward” on that occasion.
Ex-PGMOL chief gives insight into Lionel Messi punishment
With NYCFC holding onto a 2-1 lead, Messi found Telasco Segovia in the 100th minute of the game, and the Venezuelan scored the equaliser for Javier Mascherano’s side.
Despite avoiding the loss, Barcelona’s all-time leading goal-scorer was not content to let matters go, persistently following the referee in an attempt to make himself heard.
When asked exclusively by Football Insider about the incident, ex-PGMOL chief, Hackett, said:
“The MLS deal with all disciplinary matters in their competition. Operating out of their offices in the Avenue of the Americas, a small panel on Monday reviews all disciplinary matters.
“This player [Lionel Messi] like any other player will be dealt with today [24 February].
| Inter Miami statistics | Messi |
| Appearances | 41 |
| Goals | 35 |
| Assists | 20 |
| Trophies | 2 |
“I expect the minimum of a fine. It is the start of the season and they will want their star players to be in the fields, not in the stands.
“From a personal point of view, placing your hands on an official is a big no no and really should see the player receiving a three-match ban. I will be amazed if that was to happen to Messi.”
Lionel Messi remains the biggest name in any sport
On the night of the Super Bowl, social media was abuzz with activity, as one would expect, and an image of Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez went viral.
A video of the Argentine superstar stole the show amidst the deluge of imagery surrounding the NFL’s finale, with Messi’s arrival being the most viewed piece of content on the night, garnering over 15 million views.
Following a stunning Super Bowl half-time show, Gabby Agbonlahor used Kendrick Lamar as an opportunity to make a joke at the expense of Tottenham.
Messi and his friends may be heading to Tottenham in the coming years, with Keith Wyness insistent that both London and Spurs are ready and capable of hosting the Super Bowl.