Lionel Messi cleared of wrongdoing after video reveals confrontation with referees after Inter Miami loss
CBS Sports
by
Pardeep Cattry
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Lionel Messi has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a video showed him attempting to confront referees following Inter Miami's 3-0 loss to LAFC in their MLS opener on Saturday. According to the Professional Referee Organization (PRO), which oversees refereeing in MLS and other U.S. professional soccer leagues, Messi did not enter the officials' locker room as initially thought. The video, shared on social media, showed Messi walking toward a doorway near the referees' area, with teammate Luis Suarez trying to pull him back. PRO confirmed that Messi did not get close enough to violate league rules, and no match officials filed complaints against him afterward. This incident follows similar cases in MLS where players have faced disciplinary action for entering restricted areas.
The situation began during Inter Miami's first game in the MLS season at the LA Memorial Coliseum, which ended with a disappointing 3-0 defeat to LAFC. Messi, who joined Inter Miami last year as one of the biggest transfers in MLS history, appeared visibly frustrated after the match. His actions were caught on video and sparked immediate speculation about potential consequences under MLS rules. However, PRO's investigation concluded that Messi did not enter the referees' area and was therefore not in violation of any regulations.
This ruling highlights the strict protocols surrounding player conduct toward officials in professional soccer. In contrast to Messi's case, other players
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/22/2026