Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba suspended for skipping All-Star Game: MLS Commissioner promises ‘hard look’ at rule

Major League Soccer has suspended Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for one match because of the skipping of the All-Star match on Wednesday, where the MLS All-Stars defeated the League MX All-Stars 3-1 in Austin. The competition has a rule that players in the All-Star game have to perform if they are selected and healthy, unless there is prior approval of the competition not to participate, but on the day of the competition, Inter Miami announced that Messi and Alba would not participate.

MLS A statement released About the decision:

“Jordi Alba en Lionel Messi van Inter Miami CF zullen op zaterdag 26 juli niet meer beschikbaar zijn voor de wedstrijd van de club tegen FC Cincinnati, vanwege hun afwezigheid bij de Major League Soccer All-Star-wedstrijd van deze week, elke speler die niet deelneemt aan de All-Star Game zonder voorafgaande goedkeuring van de competitie van de competitie van de competitie van de competitie van de Competition of the competition is in the next match of their club. “

They are not the first stars that are suspended in this way, because Zlatan Ibrahimovic was confronted with a similar suspension for the Los Angeles Galaxy after missing the All-Star match in 2018. This suspension will come to a criticism at a criticism with Inter Miami opposite FC Cuininnati on Saturday.

The head coach of Inter Miami, Javier Mascherano, stated that Alba had a knock, but that Messi was healthy and on Friday ensure that it was a load of management during the availability of media.

What does Javier Mascherano say?

On Friday, the manager of Miami expected that he would have Messi available because he just returned to the training the day before their game opposite Cincinnati, before the suspension was distributed

“He presented fatigue that is normal with the games and minutes we played,” said Mascherano.

With Miami who participates in the Club World Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup They have one of the most matches played in MLS next to the Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles FC. Miami was the only MLS team that came from the group stage that added more matches to their legs than other teams.

“It is case on a case -by -case basis and we have our arguments [for why he shouldn’t be suspended]Being objective and for everyone to see. “We are the MLS team that played the most this year – by far,” said Mascherano.

What happened during the All-Star game?

Messi missed the MLS All-Star match last season due to an injury, but per competition policy, every player who misses the affair without a confirmed injury or approval of the competition, could be subjected to a suspension of one match. MLS Commissioner Don Garber emphasized how challenging the schedule has been for Messi.

“He played nine games in 30 days. Miami’s had a schedule that is different from any other team. Most of our teams had a break of 10 days. Miami did not do that. We played that for 90 minutes in almost all the matches he played … We also selected here to have selected here, and after all sorts of all sorts of it all sorts of this all kinds, will be able to do this all sorts of all sorts of all sorts of all sorts of it all sorts of all sorts. Weekend must happen.

“We should have known before, we should have tackled it earlier. No doubt about it.”

MLS held in its own binding

This situation shows how MLS can be with the worldwide football game. Although All-Star Games are unique an American experience, they are something that in most cases is still being treated as optional, where players regularly do not participate for various personal reasons. And in the rest of the world there are these types of exhibitions during the regular season.

This was clear in 2018 when Zlatan responded to his suspension.

“I find it ridiculous, but yes, no comments,” said Ibrahimovic. “They do what they want. I come from a different world, I am from the real world.”

Now Garber almost apologizes that he has to suspend the biggest star of the competition, but if there is a rule, a decision must be made to show that no one is above the current rules of the competition, not even Messi. On Friday, Garber spoke more about the decision with athletics.

“We are going to look carefully at the rule that is improving. It is important for all our players and all our fans that we have a policy that reflects and contains the reality of our competition and its players,” Garber said. “I am committed to working with all our players and to work with Leo Messi to adjust this rule, so that it makes sense in the future.”

With the competition that is already watching the benefits of shifting to a schedule in accordance with Europe, this also offers the opportunity to see how the All-Star game is performed. It is logical to want Messi and Stars there, but peace for the rest of the season is also important, so a balance must be found.