Major League Soccer (MLS) is conducting an investigation into claims of unauthorized access to officials’ locker room after the match between Inter Miami and LAFC on Saturday at the LA Memorial Coliseum. The inquiry was prompted by a video that circulated online, showing Lionel Messi, the captain of Inter Miami, appearing to briefly enter the referees’ area.
Chris Rivett, the director of communications for the Professional Referee Organization, clarified in a statement to ESPN that Messi did not, in fact, enter the officials’ locker room. “After speaking with match officials, we can confirm he did not enter the premises,” Rivett stated. This clarification is critical as the league assesses any potential breach of protocol.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee typically releases findings before the next round of matches, but the duration of deliberations can vary based on the complexity of the investigation. In addition, players have the right to appeal any decisions, which could further postpone any announcements regarding the outcome.
In a post-match press conference, Javier Mascherano, head coach of Inter Miami, addressed whether Messi showed any signs of frustration with the officiating during the game. He stated, “No, no, no, I didn’t see anything. The truth is that the match finished and then I went into the locker room.” This statement emphasizes that there was no apparent discontent from the star player regarding the refereeing.
Inter Miami is scheduled to face Orlando City next on March 1 at Inter&Co Stadium, and the outcome of this investigation may influence the team’s preparations and focus heading into the match. As developments unfold, both the league and its fans will be keenly watching for updates.
