Lionel Messi has come under fire for allegedly yelling an expletives at the referee during Saturday’s MLS match between Inter Miami and Charlotte FC.
Ole said that the Herons were incensed at the referee for not awarding them two penalties in the closing seconds of the game. In the first case, following a comprehensive VAR review, the penalty call was rejected; in the second, Luis Suarez’s pleas were dismissed following his fall inside the opposition’s box following a collision with goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.
The Argentine tabloid claims that Messi referred to the referee as a “mean-spirited son of a b*tch” upon the sound of the full-time whistle. The referee took the slur seriously, as evidenced by the yellow card he gave the Argentina captain right away.
Tata Martino’s team will look to increase their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference table on Thursday when they play Columbus in an MLS away from home. Despite the subsequent controversy, the 37-year-old came to Inter Miami’s aid in the second half, scoring the equalizer in the 67th minute to secure a crucial point for his side in the MLS clash against Charlotte FC.
(Goal)
