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Explained: Why Lionel Messi has been given a one-match ban by MLS
will miss Inter Miami's big game against Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati after Major League Soccer (MLS) handed him a one-match ban. The reason behind the ban is a bit bizarre, as Messi didn't take part in the MLS All-Star Game earlier this week.
Why was Messi suspended?
MLS has a rule that says any player who skips the All-Star Game without official league approval must miss their team's next match. Messi, along with teammate Jordi Alba, didn't play in the exhibition event on Wednesday, July 23, so the rule automatically applied to them.
Why did Messi miss the All-Star Game?
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has explained that it was the club's decision and not the players'. He said that the team felt it was necessary to rest Messi and Alba because of upcoming fixtures. Messi has already played nine games in just 36 days, including matches in the MLS regular season, Concacaf Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup.
'I wanted to express today our full support for Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, as the decision for them to sit out this week was made by the club. I think that is an important point. I want to assure everyone that Lionel and Jordi have acted in a way commeasured with what the club would want,' Mas said.
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'It's untenable. For example, if faced with this situation next year, where we have an away game on Saturday, the All-Star Game is on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and we have a game on Saturday, an important game, we're going to be in the same boat, in the same situation,' he added.
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How did Messi and Inter Miami react?
Jorge Mas has said that Messi is upset about the suspension given how competitive he is. 'Messi is very upset, extremely upset today, as expected. I'm hopeful it doesn't have an impact long term. Will it have an impact initially in the player's perception of how the league rules work, etc.? Absolutely, no doubt.'
Will the rule change?
MLS commissioner Don Garber admitted the league will review the policy in the future. 'I'm committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve,' Garber was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
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