Former Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba could have been banned for one match after sitting out All-Star match.
Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba have not been sanctioned for skipping Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas, their coach confirms.
Both players were voted into the showcase by fans and the media, but neither featured in the MLS squad’s 3-1 win against Mexico’s Liga MX All-Stars.
League rules stipulate that players who choose to opt out of the All-Star Game without an approved medical reason can face a one-match suspension.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano pointed out on Friday that his team had “played the most games so far this semester by far” and Messi “showed normal fatigue from the number of games and minutes he’s been playing”, according to ESPN.
