Lionel Messi has been fined by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for violating the league's policy on hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent, following a heated exchange with Bangladeshi-origin Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan during Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with the Union in Chester, Pennsylvania, on Thursday.
The incident unfolded in the 101st minute of the match, in the immediate aftermath of a separate flashpoint involving Quinn's younger brother Cavan Sullivan, also of Bangladeshi descent, whose confrontation with Miami defender Ian Fray sparked a brief melee involving several players.
Footage circulating on social media showed Messi approaching Sullivan and exchanging words before the Philadelphia midfielder walked towards him, with tensions briefly escalating before Messi was seen tapping Sullivan on the head and the referee stepped in to separate the pair.
MLS also fined Fray for the same hands to the face violation. Miami's Yannick Bright and 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan were both shown straight red cards once the initial altercation was brought under control, while Quinn Sullivan received a yellow card for his part in proceedings.
Cavan, tipped to join Manchester City once he turns 18 and already a regular starter for Philadelphia this season, had initially faced a one-game suspension as a result of his dismissal.
However, the Independent Review Panel, made up of representatives from US Soccer, Canada Soccer and the Professional Referee Organisation, unanimously ruled in his favour, rescinding both the red card and the accompanying fine.
He is now free to feature against Austin FC on Sunday. Quinn avoided further sanction beyond the yellow shown on the night.
Away from the disciplinary fallout, Messi delivered a standout individual display on the pitch, scoring in the 26th minute and setting up Miami's opener five minutes earlier as Inter Miami twice came from behind to salvage a point.
The goal carried extra weight for the Argentine, his first since the death of his father on 8 August, with an emotional celebration dedicated to his late father and grandmother.
Messi's strike took him to 13 goals in 17 MLS appearances this season, leaving him second on the league's scoring charts, one behind FC Dallas forward Petar Musa, with Inter Miami sitting second in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind leaders Nashville.