Inter Miami was quietly optimistic about being able to count on Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for the crucial collision of this weekend with Cincinnati, but in the end the Fort Lauderdale team got a painful blow. Both players will be the same as a punishment for missing the recent All-Star game that they were both called to play.
Messi and Jordi Alba handed bans from one match
In a statement, MLS announced that because of their absence of the MLS All-Star game and in accordance with the rules, both Messi and Jordi Alba should serve a suspension of one match.
“Per League rules, every player who does not participate in the All-Star game without prior approval of the competition, is not eligible to participate in the next match of their club,” was the statement.
Earlier on Friday, head coach Javier Mascherano of Inter Miami revealed that the franchise had not been informed of the sanction. Only a few hours later the punishment was officially confirmed by MLS.
Don Garber regrets the sanction of Messi, but he complies with the rules
In the same statement, MLS commissioner Don Garber shared his reasons for imposing the sanction on the Inter Miami players.
“I know that Messi loves this competition. I don't think there is a player, or someone who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect and admire his dedication to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision. Unfortunately we have a long-term policy with regard to the all-Star-game” he said. “I am committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve.”
Without the captain, for Saturday's match against the leaders of the Eastern Conference, is a huge blow to Miami. The Mascherano team is currently in fifth place in the table with 41 points – seven points behind Cincinnati, who played three games less because of the participation of the team at the club World Cup this summer.