Mls suspends Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping All-Star Game
Messi and Alba did not suit up for the match between the MLS and Liga MX of Mexico despite being voted to the game. Messi did not play to rest amid a packed schedule, and Alba was dealing with a previous injury. Per MLS rules, any player who doesn't participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club's next match.
The players will miss Miami's home match Saturday against FC Cincinnati, which sits atop the Eastern Conference standings. As Inter Miami awaited the league's decision, both Messi and Alba practiced with the club on Friday in anticipation of playing in Saturday's match.
'I know Lionel Messi loves this league,' said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. 'I don't think there's a player – or anyone – who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision. Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision.'
Garber added that the league will re-evaluate the policy and work with players to determine how the rule should evolve.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Aaron Judge is out for the Yankees' game against the Phillies because of an elbow injury
Yankees star Aaron Judge was out of the lineup Saturday against Philadelphia and was sent for imaging of his right elbow–a worrying development for a team that has been sliding down the standings for two months. 'Obviously concerned,' Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. 'We'll wait and see as they read the imaging.' Boone wouldn't speculate whether the injury involved Judge's ulnar collateral ligament. 'Hopefully it's something that is manageable and we can get through,' Boone said. A two-time AL MVP, Judge leads the major leagues with a .342 batting average and 1.160 OPS. He has 37 home runs and 85 RBIs for a New York team that opened a seven-game AL East lead by late May but started Saturday a season-high 5 1/2 games back of first-place Toronto. Judge winced at Toronto on Tuesday after catching Alejandro Kirk's seventh-inning fly in the right-field corner and throwing to second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. as Dante Bichette tagged up and went from second to third. Judge was seen by a YES Network camera clenching his right hand in a fist. 'He had a throw in Toronto where it zinged him–it hurt,' Boone said. Judge was a designated hitter the following day in Wednesday's series finale, which Boone said then was planned. He was in right field for Friday's series-opening 12-5 loss to Philadelphia, then was out of the lineup for the second time this season. 'Felt like he was fine on the off day and then just last night was really dealing with it. He couldn't really throw well from the outfield,' Boone said. Boone said Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad was to read the imaging Saturday.
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Justin fields participates in 7-on-7 drills at jets practice, 2 days after dislocating toe
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields participated in 7-on-7 drills at training camp Saturday, two days after being carted from the field with a dislocated toe. Fields threw passes during quarterback positional drills and then again in a session with wide receivers, including tossing a perfectly placed deep ball to Tyler Johnson for a big gain that drew cheers from the fans in the stands. Fields didn't participate in team drills and will continue to be evaluated on a daily basis. The Jets have their first off day from practice Sunday. 'I thought he did a good job in 7-on-7s,' coach Aaron Glenn said. 'And the thing is, he has a ways to go until we get him out there and we're going to make sure we keep the process going, keep the protocol going to make sure he's ready.' Fields sent fans and social media into a frenzy Thursday when he dislocated a toe on his right foot early in practice. He was carted from the field to the facility where he had multiple tests before the team announced the diagnosis – relieving fears that it could be an even more significant injury. Fields watched practice Friday from the sideline while wearing his helmet but had progressed enough Saturday to take part in some of the practice. Glenn didn't think Fields, expected to be the starter in his first season with the Jets, would fall behind because of the injury. 'He's going to be just fine,' the coach said. 'He missed one day. He's been in meetings so he's going to be just fine.' Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor continues to lead the offense during team drills while Fields is sidelined.
Al Arabiya
4 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Dolphins sign former raiders and patriots cornerback Jack Jones to one-year deal
The Miami Dolphins added needed help to their secondary on Saturday, signing cornerback Jack Jones to a one-year deal. Jones had 69 tackles, three interceptions–one returned for a touchdown–and 15 pass breakups in 16 starts for the Raiders last season. The Raiders released him earlier this year. A fourth-round draft pick by New England in 2022, Jones played two up-and-down seasons for the Patriots before being released and claimed off waivers by Las Vegas in 2023. Jones played in 24 games and started 19 for Las Vegas, intercepting five passes and returning three for touchdowns. He also found himself out of position several times and allowed opposing receivers to make big plays. His four defensive touchdowns are the second most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2022. The Raiders released him earlier this year. Miami was in the market for a starting-caliber cornerback after trading All-Pro Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers last month. The Dolphins this offseason added several cornerbacks that are expected to compete for roster spots. One veteran, Artie Burns, went on injured reserve this week after suffering a torn ACL on the first day of training camp. Also Saturday, the Dolphins waived cornerback Ryan Cooper Jr.
