Bombshell News in the MLS after the competition confirmed the sanctions for Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba to not attend the All-Star match on Wednesday in Austin. It is a decision that has left a sense of dissatisfaction in Inter Miami environment prior to the crucial match of this weekend against conference leaders, Cincinnati – in which they will be without two important players.
The MLS decision irritated Inter Miami, where the top buyer responded immediately and in response to the sanction. Owner Jorge Mas, this Friday called a press conference to express his anger while offering his support to Messi and Alba.
In a press conference, MAS revealed that the decision was not going well with Messi at all and when he was asked whether this situation could influence his future, the (imminent) renewal of the Argentinian stays in the air.
“Messi is upset by today's decision, but I hope it has no long -term impact,” Mas explained.
Similarly, MAS assured that the decision was communicated during the training of the team, something that had a strong impact during the team's training, so Mas made the decision to come out and to clarify.
“We were informed a few hours ago. The reaction was as expected, it was not a positive response, they want to compete, they want to play matches, especially tomorrow.
“I did not expect a suspension, but the rules were rules and Lionel was informed after the training. We found out the suspension while the club trained and I decided to come and speak on behalf of the club and make no mistake in defending Jordi and Messi”.
Jorge Mas: “The rules are not clear; it's not good for the players”
Mas added that he thinks that there is no logical in starting a new MLS matchday this Friday, because there has been little time for the players to rest after the All-Star game.
“There are six MLS matches today, less than 48 hours after the All-Star game. It is not the right thing to do for the players. We have to find a way to make the ASG happen without harming MLS teams,” he explained.
Jorge Mas on the subject of Jordi Alba
“The competition was informed of the muscle tension he had in the last match. But the rule is that if he gets injured in the second half of the last game, they suspend him and if he is injured in the first half, he would not have been suspended, the rule does not save.”
Messi irritated
“Lionel is very upset, like everyone at the club because they cannot play tomorrow and what we should do as a club, is together as one and are confronted with what is going on, starting with the game of tomorrow and the Leagues Cup next week”.
On pre-asg conversations with MLS
“There were no conversations because the rules were not clear. And I refer to the same situation last year. Last year Lionel did not go to Columbus nor Luis Suárez and there was a suspension, but I reminded everyone that Messi was injured after the final of Copa América.
“This rule was discussed last year, and some adjustments were made, such as those with Jordi; if he was injured in the first 45 minutes, he would not have been suspended. The rule must be changed and players should not be put in the position to choose in which match they should play.”
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